Objective To compare the short-term clinical effects of unilateral dual-channel endoscopic discectomy(UBED)and percutaneous endoscopic intervertebral discectomy(PEID)in the treatment of L5S,Lumbar disc herniation,LDH.Methods From January 2019 to January 2021,a total of 57 cases of L5S,LDH treated by UBED or PEID were analyzed retrospectively,including 30 cases in UBED group and 27 cases in PEID group.The operation time,intraoperative fluoroscopy times,postoperative hospitalization days and surgical complications were compared between the two groups.The visual analogue scale(VAS)and oswestry disability index(ODI)were used to compare the postoperative quality of life of the two groups,and the modified MacNab criteria was used to evaluate the clinical efficacy in the last follow-up.Results The operation time of UBED group and PEID group was(75.30±8.44)minutes and(68.37±4.63)minutes,respectively,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P＜0.05).VAS and ODI of 1 week,3 months,1 year and 1.5 years after surgery in 2 groups were significantly decreased compared with those before surgery,with statistical significance(P＜0.05).The VAS score of low back pain in UBED group was higher than that in PEID group[(3.87±1.14)points vs(2.70±0.67)points]at 1 week after surgery(P＜0.05),and there was no significant difference in VAS and ODI at the other time points(P＞0.05).There was no statistical difference in the results of modified MacNab criteria in the last follow-up(P＞0.05).There were 2 cases of dural tear in PEID group,1 case of dural tear in UBED group and 1 case of temporary nerve root injury in PEID group after operation,all of which were cured after symptomatic treatment.Conclusion Compared with PEID,UBED has a longer operation time,more trauma and more obvious low back pain in the short term after operation.The short-term curative effect of the two operations on L5S1 LDH is similar,the incidence of complications is low,and the times of fluoroscopy are few.Both operations are safe and effective.

Objective:To investigate the effect of sertraline hydrochloride combined with compound chamomile lidocaine gel in the treatment of premature ejaculation(PE).Methods:We selected 80 cases of PE treated in our hospital from June 2021 to May 2023 and equally randomized them into a control and an observation group,the former medicated with compound chamomile lidocaine gel while the latter with sertraline hydrochloride in addition,both for 6 weeks.We recorded and compared the intravaginal ejaculation latency time(IELT),the number of successful sexual intercourses per week,the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool(PEDT)scores,and the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups of patients.Results:After the treatment,the IELT was signif-icantly longer([5.39±1.17]vs[2.49±0.73]min,P＜0.05),the weekly number of successful sexual intercourses remarkably higher(1.82±0.45 vs 0.93±0.19,P＜0.05)and the PEDT scores markedly lower(7.42±2.04 vs 9.85±2.36,P＜0.05)in the observation than in the control group,but no statistically significant differences were observed in the baseline PEDT scores or the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion:Sertraline hydrochloride combined with com-pound chamomile lidocaine gel is definitely effective in the treatment of PE,which can significantly improve the patients'quality of sexual life,with a high safety and low incidence of adverse reactions.

This study primarily investigated the mechanism of Astragalus polysaccharides(APS), a Chinese medicinal material, in regulating the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway to induce ferroptosis in ovarian cancer cells(Caov-3 and SKOV3 cells). Caov-3 and SKOV3 cells were divided into control(Vehicle) group, APS group, glutathione peroxidase 4 inhibitor(RSL3) group, and APS+RSL3 group. After 48 h of intervention, the activity and morphology of the cells in each group were observed. The cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) method was used to determine the half-maximal inhibitory concentration(IC_(50)), while colony formation and EdU assays were conducted to assess cell proliferation. Biochemical reagents were used to detect lipid reactive oxygen species(L-ROS), malondialdehyde(MDA), divalent iron ions(Fe~(2+)), and glutathione(GSH) in Caov-3 cells. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe the morphological changes of mitochondria in Caov-3 cells. Bioinformatics analysis were used to screen potential target genes of APS in ovarian cancer cells. Western blot and RT-PCR were applied to measure the protein and mRNA expression of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4. The results revealed that APS effectively inhibited the activity and proliferation of ovarian cancer cells, significantly increased the expression levels of L-ROS, MDA, and Fe~(2+)(P<0.001), and significantly reduced the expression level of GSH(P<0.001). Under electron microscopy, the mitochondria of Caov-3 cells appeared significantly smaller, with a marked increase in the density of the bilayer membrane, disappearance of mitochondrial cristae, and rupture of the outer mitochondrial membrane. These effects were more pronounced when APS was combined with RSL3. Bioinformatics screening identified Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 as potential target genes for APS in ovarian cancer cells. APS was shown to reduce the protein and mRNA expression of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4(P<0.01), with the APS+RSL3 showing even more significant effects(P<0.001). In conclusion, APS can induce ferroptosis in ovarian cancer cells, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway, providing an experimental basis for the use of APS injections in the treatment of ovarian cancer.
Humans ; Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Female ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics* ; Ovarian Neoplasms/physiopathology* ; Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Amino Acid Transport System y+/genetics* ; Polysaccharides/pharmacology* ; Astragalus Plant/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Adenocarcinoma/physiopathology* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Glutathione Peroxidase/genetics* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*

Seventeen minor triterpenoid acids (1-17) were isolated from an aqueous decoction of Uncaria rhynchophylla by a combinatory application of column chromatography using multiple stationary phases, including macroporous adsorbent resin, MCI resin, Sephadex LH-20, Toyopearl HW-40C, silica gel, and C18 reversed phase silica gel, combined with separation techniques of flash chromatography (FC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Their structures were determined by analysis of HR-ESI-MS, UV, CD, and IR as well as 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data, of which eight new compounds (1-8) are named successively uncarinic acids Q-X, while the structures of 2 and 7 were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. In the in vitro assays, 27-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (17) inhibited TGF-β-induced HSC-T6 cell activation at the concentration of 5 μmol·L^-1.

Multidrug resistance of tumors has been a severe obstacle to the success of cancer chemotherapy. The study wants to investigate the reversal effects of imperatorin (IMP) on doxorubicin (DOX) resistance in K562/DOX leukemia cells, A2780/Taxol cells and in NOD/SCID mice, to explore the possible molecular mechanisms. K562/ DOX and A2780/Taxol cells were treated with various concentrations of DOX and Taol with or without different concentrations of IMP, respectively. K562/DOX xenograft model was used to assess anti-tumor effect of IMP combined with DOX. MTT assay, Rhodamine 123 efflux assay, RT-PCR, and Western blot analysis were determined in vivo and in vitro. Results showed that IMP significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity of DOX and Taxol toward corresponding resistance cells. In vivo results illustrated both the tumor volume and tumor weight were significantly decreased after 2-week treatment with IMP combined with DOX compared to the DOX alone group. Western blotting and RT-PCR analyses indicated that IMP downregulated the expression of P-gp in K562/DOX xenograft tumors in NOD/SCID mice. We also evaluated glycolysis and glutamine metabolism in K562/DOX cells by measuring glucose consumption and lactate production. The results revealed that IMP could significantly reduce the glucose consumption and lactate production of K562/DOX cells. Furthermore, IMP could also remarkably repress the glutamine consumption, α-KG and ATP production of K562/DOX cells. Thus, IMP may sensitize K562/DOX cells to DOX and enhance the antitumor effect of DOX in K562/DOX xenograft tumors in NOD/SCID mice. IMP may be an adjuvant therapy to mitigate the multidrug resistance in leukemia chemotherapy.

Five new megastigmanes (1-5) were isolated from a decoction of Uncaria rhynchophylla by separation techniques of column chromatography using a combination of multiple stationary phases, including macroporous adsorbent resin, MCI resin, silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and Toyopearl HW-40F, and reversed phase HPLC. Their structures were characterized by spectroscopic data analysis of HR-ESI-MS, NMR, and CD, in combination with Mosher's mothed as well as ECD and NMR calculations. The new compounds were named uncarphyllonone A (1), uncarphyllonols A (2) and B (3), and uncarphabscisic acids A (4) and B (5). Although the structures of 3 and 4 were previously reported, the reported NMR spectroscopic data were incorrect or do not support the assigned structures in literatures. This is also the first report of discovery of new megastigmane natural products from the Uncaria genus.

Sea buckthorn(Hippophae rhamnoides) is widely distributed, with abundant resources, a long history of application, and rich nutrition and high medicinal value. Therefore, it has attracted extensive attention from researchers at home and abroad. The focus of attention is mainly on sea buckthorn fruit, but with weak research and development of sea buckthorn leaves. In order to develop and utilize abundant resources of sea buckthorn leaves, this paper systematically reviewed domestic and foreign literatures and summarized the current application, harvesting and processing, chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of sea buckthorn leaves. Sea buckthorn leaves have a wide development and utilization value in food raw materials(like a substituting-for-tea plant), pharmaceutical raw materials and animal feed. Modern studies have shown that the leaves of sea buckthorn are rich in polysaccharides, flavonoids, polyphenols, triterpenes and steroids, as well as vitamins(especially vitamin C), proteins, amino acids and mineral elements. It has various pharmacological effects, such as anti-obesity, hypoglycemia, anti-oxidation, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-cardiovascular diseases. Domestic and foreign studies have showed that sea buckthorn leaves have important development and utilization prospects, and are worth further study and development.
Animals ; Flavonoids ; Fruit ; Hippophae ; Plant Leaves ; Polyphenols

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of microglial pyroptosis in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage. METHODS: An oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model of rat microglial cells were cultured in vitro. Western blot was used to measure the expression of the pyroptosis-related proteins caspase-1, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and N-terminal gasdermin D (GSDMD-N) at 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours after OGD/R. After the microglial cells were transfected with lentivirus-mediated silenced gasdermin D (GSDMD), immunofluorescence assay and Western blot were used to measure the transfection rate of GSDMD. Microglial cell lines were divided into three groups: normal control, negative control, and LV-sh_GSDMD (lentivirus-mediated GSDMD silencing). CCK-8 assay and LDH kit were used to observe the effect of GSDMD silencing on the viability and toxicity of microglial cells at 24 hours after OGD/R. Western blot was used to observe the effect of GSDMD silencing on the levels of caspase-1, GSDMD-N, and IL-1β in the microglial cells at 24 hours after OGD/R. RESULTS: The expression levels of the pyroptosis-related proteins caspase-1, GSDMD-N, and IL-1β in microglial cells were upregulated since 0 hour after OGD/R and reached the peak levels at 24 hours. A microglial cell model of lentivirus-mediated GSDMD silencing was successfully constructed. At 24 hours after OGD/R, compared with the normal control group, the GSDMD silencing group had a significant increase in the cell viability and a significant reduction in the cytotoxicity (P<0.05), as well as significant reductions in the protein expression levels of caspase-1, GSDMD-N, and IL-1β in microglial cells (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Lentivirus silencing of the key substrate protein for pyroptosis GSDMD can alleviate hypoxic-ischemic brain damage, suggesting that microglial pyroptosis aggravates hypoxic-ischemic brain damage.
Animals ; Brain/metabolism* ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Microglia/metabolism* ; Pyroptosis ; Rats

Five alkaloids were isolated from a decoction of Uncaria rhynchophylla by a combination of various chromatographic techniques, including macroporous adsorbent resin, MCI resin, silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and reversed phase HPLC. Their structures were characterized by comprehensive analyses of spectroscopic data as monoterpene indole alkaloids (+)-(7R)-3-oxo-7-hydroxy-3,7-seco-dihydrorhynchohylline (1), (+)-(7S)-3-oxo-7-hydroxy-3,7-seco-dihydrorhyncho-hylline (2), (+)-(7R)-3-oxo-7-hydroxy-3,7-seco-rhynchohylline (3) and (+)-(7S)-3-oxo-7-hydroxy-3,7-seco-rhynchohylline (4), and a β-carboline alkaloid 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-oxo-β-carboline (5). Among them, 1 and 2 are new compounds, 3 and 4 are new natural products that were semi-synthesized from isorhynchohylline with incorrect specific rotations, and 5 is isolated for the first time from the genus Uncaria.

Two new folate-derived analogues, named uncarophyllofolic acids A (1) and B (2), respectively, were isolated from the Uncaria rhynchophylla hook bearing stem (Gouteng in Chinese). The distinct stereochemical structures of 1 and 2 were determined by spectroscopic data analysis in combination with acidic hydrolysis and Marfey's derivatization, along with comparison of their specific rotation and Cotton effect (CE) data with those of the biogenetically related known derivatives as well as theoretical calculations of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. A plausible biosynthetic pathway of 1 and 2, associating to folate metabolism and the previously reported orychophragines A-C from Orychophragmus violaceus, is discussed.