1.Study on the apoptosis-inducing effect of esculetin on acute myeloid leukemia HL-60 cells via regulating the AKT/SKP2/MTH1 pathway
Weihua SONG ; Fuying CHU ; Wei XIE ; Jinliang CHEN ; Ping ZHAO ; Hong QIU ; Jian TAO ; Xiang CHEN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(1):36-41
OBJECTIVE To investigate the apoptosis-inducing effect of esculetin (Esc) on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) HL-60 cells by regulating the protein kinase B (AKT)/S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (SKP2)/MutT homolog 1 (MTH1) pathway. METHODS AML HL-60 cells were randomly divided into control group (routine culture), Esc low-concentration group (L-Esc group, 25 μmol/L Esc), Esc medium-concentration group (M-Esc group, 50 μmol/L Esc), Esc high-concentration group (H-Esc group, 100 μmol/L Esc), and high-concentration of Esc+ SC79 (AKT agonist) group (100 μmol/L Esc+5 μmol/L SC79). Cell proliferation in each group was detected by MTT assay and colony formation assay. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells was measured by using the CM-H2DCFDA fluorescent probe. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Western blot assay was performed to detect the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins [B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), cleaved caspase-3], AKT/SKP2/MTH1 pathway-related proteins (p-AKT, AKT, SKP2, MTH1), along with the upstream and downstream proteins of AKT phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1 (P21) and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B (P27). RESULTS Compared with control group, the cell viability, colony number, and the phosphorylation levels of AKT and PI3K proteins as well as protein expressions of SKP2, MTH1 and Bcl-2 were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while ROS level, apoptosis rate, and the expression levels of Bax, cleaved caspase-3, P21 and P27 proteins were significantly increased (P<0.05). Moreover, the effects of Esc exhibited concentration-dependence (P<0.05). Compared with H-Esc group, above indexes of high-concentration of Esc+ SC79 group were reversed significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Esc may promote massive ROS production and induce activation of apoptosis in HL-60 cells by inhibiting the AKT/SKP2/MTH1 pathway, thus inhibiting the proliferation of HL-60 cells.
2.Electroacupuncture Ameliorates NLRP3-mediated Pyroptosis in Spinal Cord Injury Rats by Reshaping The Gut Microbiota
Yin-Jie CUI ; Hong-Ru LI ; Jing-Yi LIU ; Hai-Lin DU ; Shu-Wen LIU ; Yuan YANG ; Chen-Guang ZHENG ; Jian-Qin XIANG ; Xiao-Juan SONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1132-1153
ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.
3.Electroacupuncture Ameliorates NLRP3-mediated Pyroptosis in Spinal Cord Injury Rats by Reshaping The Gut Microbiota
Yin-Jie CUI ; Hong-Ru LI ; Jing-Yi LIU ; Hai-Lin DU ; Shu-Wen LIU ; Yuan YANG ; Chen-Guang ZHENG ; Jian-Qin XIANG ; Xiao-Juan SONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1132-1153
ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.
4.Innovation and application of traditional Chinese medicine dispensing promoted through integration of whole-process data elements.
Huan-Fei YANG ; Si-Yu LI ; Chen-Qian YU ; Jian-Kun WU ; Fang LIU ; Li-Bin JIANG ; Chun-Jin LI ; Xiang-Fei SU ; Wei-Guo BAI ; Hua-Qiang ZHAI ; Shi-Yuan JIN ; Yong-Yan WANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(11):3189-3196
As a new type of production factor that can empower the development of new quality productivity, the data element is an important engine to promote the high quality development of the industry. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) dispensing is the most basic work of TCM clinical pharmacy, and its quality directly affects the clinical efficacy of TCM. The integration of data elements and TCM dispensing can stimulate the innovation and vitality of the TCM dispensing industry and promote the high-quality and sustainable development of the industry. A large-scale, detailed, and systematic study on TCM dispensing was conducted. The innovative practice path of data fusion construction in the whole process of TCM dispensing was investigated by integrating the digital resources "nine full activities" of TCM dispensing, creating the digital dictionary of "TCM clinical information data elements", and exploring innovative applications of TCM dispensing driven by data and technology, so as to promote the standardized, digital, and intelligent development of TCM dispensing in medical health services. The research content of this project was successfully selected as the second batch of "Data element×" typical cases of National Data Administration in 2024, which is the only selected case in the field of TCM.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal
;
Humans
5.International clinical practice guideline on the use of traditional Chinese medicine for functional dyspepsia (2025).
Sheng-Sheng ZHANG ; Lu-Qing ZHAO ; Xiao-Hua HOU ; Zhao-Xiang BIAN ; Jian-Hua ZHENG ; Hai-He TIAN ; Guan-Hu YANG ; Won-Sook HONG ; Yu-Ying HE ; Li LIU ; Hong SHEN ; Yan-Ping LI ; Sheng XIE ; Jin SHU ; Bin-Fang ZENG ; Jun-Xiang LI ; Zhen LIU ; Zheng-Hua XIAO ; Jing-Dong XIAO ; Pei-Yong ZHENG ; Shao-Gang HUANG ; Sheng-Liang CHEN ; Gui-Jun FEI
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(5):502-518
Functional dyspepsia (FD), characterized by persistent or recurrent dyspeptic symptoms without identifiable organic, systemic or metabolic causes, is an increasingly recognized global health issue. The objective of this guideline is to equip clinicians and nursing professionals with evidence-based strategies for the management and treatment of adult patients with FD using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The Guideline Development Group consulted existing TCM consensus documents on FD and convened a panel of 35 clinicians to generate initial clinical queries. To address these queries, a systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Database, China Biology Medicine (SinoMed) Database, Wanfang Database, Traditional Medicine Research Data Expanded (TMRDE), and the Traditional Chinese Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System (TCMLARS). The evidence from the literature was critically appraised using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. The strength of the recommendations was ascertained through a consensus-building process involving TCM and allopathic medicine experts, methodologists, pharmacologists, nursing specialists, and health economists, leveraging their collective expertise and empirical knowledge. The guideline comprises a total of 43 evidence-informed recommendations that span a range of clinical aspects, including the pathogenesis according to TCM, diagnostic approaches, therapeutic interventions, efficacy assessments, and prognostic considerations. Please cite this article as: Zhang SS, Zhao LQ, Hou XH, Bian ZX, Zheng JH, Tian HH, Yang GH, Hong WS, He YY, Liu L, Shen H, Li YP, Xie S, Shu J, Zeng BF, Li JX, Liu Z, Xiao ZH, Xiao JD, Zheng PY, Huang SG, Chen SL, Fei GJ. International clinical practice guideline on the use of traditional Chinese medicine for functional dyspepsia (2025). J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):502-518.
Dyspepsia/drug therapy*
;
Humans
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods*
;
Practice Guidelines as Topic
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
6.Association between Fish Consumption and Stroke Incidence Across Different Predicted Risk Populations: A Prospective Cohort Study from China.
Hong Yue HU ; Fang Chao LIU ; Ke Yong HUANG ; Chong SHEN ; Jian LIAO ; Jian Xin LI ; Chen Xi YUAN ; Ying LI ; Xue Li YANG ; Ji Chun CHEN ; Jie CAO ; Shu Feng CHEN ; Dong Sheng HU ; Jian Feng HUANG ; Xiang Feng LU ; Dong Feng GU
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(1):15-26
OBJECTIVE:
The relationship between fish consumption and stroke is inconsistent, and it is uncertain whether this association varies across predicted stroke risks.
METHODS:
A cohort study comprising 95,800 participants from the Prediction for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk in China project was conducted. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect data on fish consumption. Participants were stratified into low- and moderate-to-high-risk categories based on their 10-year stroke risk prediction scores. Hazard ratios ( HRs) and 95% confidence intervals ( CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models and additive interaction by relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion (AP), and synergy index (SI).
RESULTS:
During 703,869 person-years of follow-up, 2,773 incident stroke events were identified. Higher fish consumption was associated with a lower risk of stroke, particularly among moderate-to-high-risk individuals ( HR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.47-0.60) than among low-risk individuals ( HR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.49-0.85). A significant additive interaction between fish consumption and predicted stroke risk was observed (RERI = 4.08, 95% CI: 2.80-5.36; SI = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.42-1.89; AP = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.28-0.43).
CONCLUSION
Higher fish consumption was associated with a lower risk of stroke, and this beneficial association was more pronounced in individuals with moderate-to-high stroke risk.
Humans
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Stroke/etiology*
;
Middle Aged
;
Prospective Studies
;
Incidence
;
Aged
;
Animals
;
Fishes
;
Risk Factors
;
Diet
;
Seafood
;
Adult
;
Cohort Studies
7.Independent and Interactive Effects of Air Pollutants, Meteorological Factors, and Green Space on Tuberculosis Incidence in Shanghai.
Qi YE ; Jing CHEN ; Ya Ting JI ; Xiao Yu LU ; Jia le DENG ; Nan LI ; Wei WEI ; Ren Jie HOU ; Zhi Yuan LI ; Jian Bang XIANG ; Xu GAO ; Xin SHEN ; Chong Guang YANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(7):792-809
OBJECTIVE:
To assess the independent and combined effects of air pollutants, meteorological factors, and greenspace exposure on new tuberculosis (TB) cases.
METHODS:
TB case data from Shanghai (2013-2018) were obtained from the Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Environmental data on air pollutants, meteorological variables, and greenspace exposure were obtained from the National Tibetan Plateau Data Center. We employed a distributed-lag nonlinear model to assess the effects of these environmental factors on TB cases.
RESULTS:
Increased TB risk was linked to PM 2.5, PM 10, and rainfall, whereas NO 2, SO 2, and air pressure were associated with a reduced risk. Specifically, the strongest cumulative effects occurred at various lags: PM 2.5 ( RR = 1.166, 95% CI: 1.026-1.325) at 0-19 weeks; PM 10 ( RR = 1.167, 95% CI: 1.028-1.324) at 0-18 weeks; NO 2 ( RR = 0.968, 95% CI: 0.938-0.999) at 0-1 weeks; SO 2 ( RR = 0.945, 95% CI: 0.894-0.999) at 0-2 weeks; air pressure ( RR = 0.604, 95% CI: 0.447-0.816) at 0-8 weeks; and rainfall ( RR = 1.404, 95% CI: 1.076-1.833) at 0-22 weeks. Green space exposure did not significantly impact TB cases. Additionally, low temperatures amplified the effect of PM 2.5 on TB.
CONCLUSION
Exposure to PM 2.5, PM 10, and rainfall increased the risk of TB, highlighting the need to address air pollutants for the prevention of TB in Shanghai.
China/epidemiology*
;
Humans
;
Air Pollutants/analysis*
;
Tuberculosis/epidemiology*
;
Incidence
;
Meteorological Concepts
;
Particulate Matter/adverse effects*
;
Environmental Exposure
;
Male
;
Female
;
Adult
;
Air Pollution
;
Middle Aged
8.Single-center experience in the treatment of severe aortic stenosis with XcorTM transcatheter aortic valve replacement system: 1-year follow-up results.
Shengwen WANG ; Haozhong LIU ; Haijiang GUO ; Tong TAN ; Hanxiang XIE ; Xiang LIU ; Hailong QIU ; Jimei CHEN ; Huiming GUO ; Jian LIU
Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences 2025;54(2):141-148
OBJECTIVES:
To analyze the early clinical outcomes of the XcorTM transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system in treating severe aortic stenosis. This study has been registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200065593).
METHODS:
This single-arm, prospective clinical trial enrolled patients with severe aortic stenosis treated with the XcorTM TAVR system at the Section of Heart Valve & Coronary Artery Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital. Perioperative and follow-up parameters were compared to evaluate differences in hemodynamic outcomes. All-cause mortality, aortic regurgitation, paravalvular leakage, cerebrovascular events, and reoperation were analyzed.
RESULTS:
Thirty-two patients with severe aortic stenosis were included (20 males, 12 females), with (70.9±4.3) years old and a Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score of 6.45% (6.07%, 7.28%). Notably, 87.5% of patients had New York Heart Association (NYHA) class≥Ⅲ. All patients underwent successful XcorTM bioprosthesis implantation, achieving an immediate technical success rate of 100.0% and device success rate of 96.9%. Mean aortic valve gradient decreased from (55.21±23.17) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) to (8.45±5.30) mmHg, peak aortic jet velocity decreased from (4.66±0.85) m/s to (1.99±0.48) m/s, aortic valve area increased from (0.66±0.21) cm² to (2.09±0.67) cm² (all P<0.01). Intraoperative ventricular fibrillation occurred in one patient, while one case exhibited moderate prosthetic valve regurgitation and paravalvular leakage post-procedure. At 12-month follow-up, sustained improvements were observed in cardiac function, left ventricular ejection fraction, hemodynamic parameters, and SF-12 quality-of-life scores (all P<0.01). All-cause mortality was 12.5% (4/32), with 13.8% (4/29) developing moderate paravalvular leakage.
CONCLUSIONS
The XcorTM TAVR system demonstrated favorable early outcomes in severe aortic stenosis patients, significantly improving symptoms and hemodynamics while exhibiting excellent performance in preventing malignant arrhythmias and coronary obstruction.
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Aortic Valve Stenosis/surgery*
;
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement/methods*
;
Aged
;
Follow-Up Studies
;
Prospective Studies
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Aged, 80 and over
;
Heart Valve Prosthesis
;
Middle Aged
9.Clinical Characteristics and Prognostic Analysis of Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma, Not Otherwise Specified.
Guo-Xiang CHEN ; Jian-Shu HAO ; Xue BAI ; Qing-Qing ZHANG ; Hai-Xia AN ; Xiu-Juan HUANG ; Yan-Qing SUN
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(3):753-759
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS).
METHODS:
Clinical data of 10 patients with PTCL-NOS in Gansu Provincial Hospital from May 2016 to June 2023 were collected. The treatment outcomes were evaluated, and the factors affecting prognosis were analyzed.
RESULTS:
The median age of onset for the 10 patients was 60.7 (47-75) years, with 7 males and 3 females. Nine cases received chemotherapy, while one case died suddenly after diagnosis, and the median course of chemotherapy was 6.9 (1-13) courses. Assessing the efficacy, 3 patients achieved complete remission (CR) while 7 patients showed progression. Age, sex, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level, Ki-67 and the presence of hemophagocytic lymphohistocytosis (HLH) were not statistically correlated with CR rate ( P >0.05). Patients with IPI score 3-5, and Ann Arbor stage III-IV had statistically lower CR rates (both P <0.05). Age, B symptoms, LDH level ,hemoglobin, Ki-67 index and PLR value were not statistically correlated with overall survival (OS) time ( P >0.05). Male, platelet <150×109/L, IPI score 3-5, Ann Arbor stage III-IV, presence of HLH, NLR≥4.05, and LMR <2.81 were statistically correlated with shorter OS (all P <0.05). Among the 10 patients, 3 cases have survived and are still in CR status, while 7 cases have died, with a median survival time of 7.5 (1-85) months.
CONCLUSIONS
Patients with IPI score 3-5 and Ann Arbor stage III-IV have low CR rate and poor prognosis. The OS of patients who are male, with platelet <150×109/L, IPI score 3-5, Ann Arbor stage III-IV, complication of HLH, NLR≥4.05, and LMR <2.81 is short, and prognosis is poor.
Humans
;
Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral/diagnosis*
;
Male
;
Prognosis
;
Middle Aged
;
Female
;
Aged
10.Beneficial Effects of Dendrobium officinale Extract on Insomnia Rats Induced by Strong Light and Noise via Regulating GABA and GABAA Receptors.
Heng-Pu ZHOU ; Jie SU ; Ke-Jian WEI ; Su-Xiang WU ; Jing-Jing YU ; Yi-Kang YU ; Zhuang-Wei NIU ; Xiao-Hu JIN ; Mei-Qiu YAN ; Su-Hong CHEN ; Gui-Yuan LYU
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(6):490-498
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of Dendrobium officinale (Tiepi Shihu) extract (DOE) on insomnia.
METHODS:
Forty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=7 per group): normal control, model control, melatonin (MT, 40 mg/kg), and 3-dose DOE (0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 g/kg) groups. Rats were raised in a strong-light (10,000 LUX) and -noise (>80 db) environment (12 h/d) for 16 weeks to induce insomnia, and from week 10 to week 16, MT and DOE were correspondingly administered to rats. The behavior tests including sodium pentobarbital-induced sleep experiment, sucrose preference test, and autonomous activity test were used to evaluate changes in sleep and emotions of rats. The metabolic-related indicators such as blood pressure, blood viscosity, blood glucose, and uric acid in rats were measured. The pathological changes in the cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) region of rat brain were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin staining and Nissl staining. Additionally, the sleep-related factors gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate (GA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Finally, we screened potential sleep-improving receptors of DOE using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array and validated the results with quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry.
RESULTS:
DOE significantly improved rats' sleep and mood, increased the sodium pentobarbital-induced sleep time and sucrose preference index, and reduced autonomic activity times (P<0.05 or P<0.01). DOE also had a good effect on metabolic abnormalities, significantly reducing triglyceride, blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood viscosity indicators (P<0.05 or P<0.01). DOE significantly increased the GABA content in hippocampus and reduced the GA/GABA ratio and IL-6 level (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, DOE improved the pathological changes such as the disorder of cell arrangement in the hippocampus and the decrease of Nissel bodies. Seven differential genes were screened by PCR array, and the GABAA receptors (Gabra5, Gabra6, Gabrq) were selected for verification. The results showed that DOE could up-regulate their expressions (P<0.05 or P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
DOE demonstrated remarkable potential for improving insomnia, which may be through regulating GABAA receptors expressions and GA/GABA ratio.
Animals
;
Dendrobium/chemistry*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Male
;
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/blood*
;
Plant Extracts/therapeutic use*
;
Receptors, GABA-A/metabolism*
;
Noise/adverse effects*
;
Light/adverse effects*
;
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/metabolism*
;
Sleep/drug effects*
;
Rats
;
Receptors, GABA/metabolism*

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