Objective To explore the molecular mechanism of luteolin in the treatment of cervical cancer based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. Methods The drug-like properties of luteolin were analyzed by the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). The targets of luteolin were obtained from PharmMapper, Super-PRED, and Swiss Target Prediction databases. The targets related to cervical cancer were acquired from GeneCards, OMIM, and PharmGKB databases. The intersection targets of luteolin and cervical cancer were obtained through EVenn, and the "luteolin-intersection targets-cervical cancer" network diagram was constructed by Cytoscape 3.8.1. The STRING database was used to analyze the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of intersection targets and screen the core targets. The Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (David) was used to conduct Gene Ontology (GO) gene function analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signaling pathway enrichment analysis of the targets. PyMoL 2.6.0, AutoDockTool 1.5.7 and OpenBabel 2.4.1 software were used to perform molecular docking between the core targets and luteolin. The survival analysis and pan-cancer analysis of the core targets were performed in the GEPIA database. Results A total of 449 targets of luteolin and 1 334 targets related to cervical cancer were obtained; there were 100 intersection targets between luteolin and cervical cancer, of which 24 were core targets, including MMP2, HRAS, MAPK1, AKT1, RHOA and PGR. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that the intersection targets participated in 455 biological processes, 70 cellular components, 119 molecular functions, and 143 KEGG signaling pathways. Molecular docking revealed a good binding of MMP2 with luteolin. The survival curves of cervical cancer patients showed that the risk ratios of RHOA, MAPK1, MMP2 and AKT1 genes were greater than 1, while those of HRAS and PGR were less than 1. Pan-cancer analysis showed that HRAS and MAPK1 were highly expressed in cervical cancer, and HRAS had significant expression differences. Conclusion Luteolin treats cervical cancer through a multi-target and multi-pathway mechanism.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients after intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for hepatocellu-lar carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) or inferior vena cava tumor thrombosis (IVTT). Methods:A registry data-base of 41 patients treated with IMRT for HCC with PVTT or IVTT in Radiotherapy Center of No.3 Hospital of Beijing Chinese People Armed Police Forces between January 2013 and May 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. The biological effective dose of radiation was ranged 48-94Gy. Short-term effects and prospective efficacy were observed. Log-rank test, Cox regression were used for survival analysis and prognostic factor identification. Results: Grade 2 or higher level gastrointestinal reaction was observed in 12 patients (29.3%). Hematological toxicity was observed in 11 patients (26.8%), and radiation-induced liver disease was observed in 6 patients (14.6%). We found that 29.3%of patients achieved a complete response and 31.7%of patients achieved a partial response. The stable and progressive disease rates were 39.0%and 0.0%, respectively. Median patient survival was 11 months, and the 1-year survival rate was 34.1%. The significant independent variables associated with the overall survival included Child-Pugh grade, AFP test, and CHE lev-el. Conclusion:IMRT is a safe and effective treatment for PVTT or IVTT in patients with HCC.

OBJECTIVETo study the in vitro effect of herb components on scavenging harmful components of cigarette smoke such as radicals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, nitrosamines in vitro, and its reducing effect on cytotoxicity of cigarette smoke.

METHODspectrophotometry was used to examine the scavenging effect of herb components on DPPH free radicals, superoxide anion radical, and hydroxyl radical, and the results were compared with the anti-oxidation of ascorbic acid. Fluorescence spectroscopy was used to examine the scavenging effect of herb components on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. UV spectrophotometry was used to examine the scavenging effect of herb components on volatile nitrosamines. MTT assay was used to examine cytotoxicity of cigarette smoke.

RESULTAll the herb components showed a certain scavenging effect on DPPH free radicals, superoxide anion radical, hydroxyl radical, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and volatile nitrosamines, espacially the ginkgo biloba extract (GBE), flavonoids of glycyrrhiza, procyanidine, total saponins in ophiopogonin, total saponins of astragalus and epimediun flavonoids. After these six herb components were added to cigarette, the cytotoxicity of cigarette smoke on BEP2D cells was remarkably reduced, by increasing cell survival fraction (SF, %) and mean lethal dose (DML).

CONCLUSIONThe herb components can scavenge harmful components of cigarette smoke such as radicals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nitrosamines, which reduce the damage of cigarette smoke on human being.

Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Smoke ; adverse effects ; Tobacco ; adverse effects

Objective To explore the feasibility and application of determining the center of the inferior portion of the glenoid on a standard anteroposterior view of the normal glenoid. Methods Seventy shoulders of 35 mature adults were measured in this study. A 64-slice CT 3D reconstruction was performed for each glenoid. A standard anteroposterior view and the scale of glenoid were made at a 3D workstation by one radiologist, and then transferred to software AutoCAD as 2D images. The 2D images were analyzed with AutoCAD respectively by 3 radiologists. The line was drawn between the most anterior and the most inferior points of the glenoid bony rim. On the same image, another line was drawn between the most posterior and the most inferior points of the glenoid bony rim. Two perpendicular bisectors of the 2 lines were drawn. The cross point of the 2 perpendicular bisectors was regarded as the circle center of the inferior part of the glenoid. The distances from the circle center to the anteroinferior and the posteroinferoir rims of the glenoid and the most posterior point were measured. Measurements were expressed as the mean ± standard deviation. Several related samples Friedman rank sum test was used to compare the measurements (the distance from the circle center to the most posterior point) by the 3 radiologists. Paired t tests were used to compare the differences between the left and right glenoids. Results The mean distance from the circle center to the most posterior point was ( 14. 1 ± 1.6) mm, the anteroinferior rim was ( 14. 0 ± 1.7) mm, and the posteroinferoir rim was ( 14. 1 ±1.6) mm. No significant differences were found ( P>0. 05) between measurements by the 3 radiologists. No significant differences were found ( P>0. 05) between the measurements of the both-side glenoids. Conclusions The method of determining the center of the inferior portion of the glenoid based on the most anterior,posterior and inferior points of the glenoid on a standard 3D anteroinferior view of the normal glenoid is easy,practical and highly repeatable. The radius of the left glenoid is comparable to the radius of the right side in normal shoulders. This method can be used to quantify a glenoid bone defect precisely.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Qingdan Capsule (QDC) and Yanggan Lidan Granule (YGLDG), two kinds of compound traditional Chinese herbal medicines, on biochemical parameters in guinea-pigs with pigment gallstones. METHODS: An animal model of pigment gallstones was established in male guinea-pigs by hypodermic injection of lincomycin. The guinea-pigs were randomly divided into blank control group, untreated group, QDC group and YGLDG group. There were 8 guinea-pigs in each group. After ten-day treatment, animals were sacrificed and sampled to calculate the rate of stone formation, total bilirubin (TB), unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) and Ca2+ density in bile of the four groups. RESULTS: In comparison with the untreated group, the rates of stone formation in the QDC and YGLDG groups were significantly decreased (P<0.01). TBIL, UCB and Ca2+ content of bile in both QDC and YGLD groups was also significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: QDC and YGLD have good effects on biochemical changes of animal model of pigment gallstone in reversing the lithogenesity of bile by reducing the content of TB, UCB and Ca2+, hence resulting in clinical treatment and prevention of pigment gallstone disease.

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes of the center of cellular immune thymus and the interference of Jinhong Tablet, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, during the course of cholangitis. METHODS: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups. Ligation group, simple ligation of bile duct without producing infection and fed with normal saline; untreated group, reproduce acute cholangitis and fed with normal saline; Jinhong Tablet-treated group, reproduce cholangitis and treated with Jinhong Tablet. Five days after modeling, the rats were sacrificed and the thymus were sampled to observe the morphological changes with an electronic microscope, count the index of thymus and apoptosis and assay the expressions of Bcl-2 gene coding protein and Fas gene coding protein. RESULTS: The frequency of apoptosis of thymus in the untreated group was higher than that in the Jinhong Tablet-treated group and the ligation group, and the frequency of apoptosis of thymus in the Jinhong Tablet-treated group was higher than that in the ligation group. Compared with the Jinhong Tablet-treated group and the ligation group, the weight and index of thymus were lower and the index of apoptosis of thymus was higher significantly in the untreated group (P<0.01). The expression of Bcl-2 gene coding protein in the ligation group and the Jinhong Tablet-treated group were much higher than that in the untreated group (P<0.01), but there were no significant differences of the expression of Fas gene coding protein among the three groups. CONCLUSION: There exists a promotion of non-physiological apoptosis of cellular immune center such as decrease of the weight and the index of thymus and increase of the index of apoptosis of thymus during acute cholangitis, which may be inhibited by up-regulation of Bcl-2 gene coding protein with antipyretic and purgative herbs Jinhong Tablet.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of intracellular free calcium level ([Ca(2+)]i) in gallbladder cells of guinea pigs with gallstones so as to study the mechanisms of gallstone formation and the prevention and treatment function of traditional Chinese herbs for nourishing the liver. METHODS: Eighty guinea pigs were randomly divided into four groups, which were normal control group, untreated group, nourishing-liver Chinese drug (NLCD) group and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) group, with 20 guinea pigs in each group. Gallstones were induced in the guinea pigs of the latter 3 groups by the feed of diet inducing cholelithiasis with high cholesterol, while the corresponding medicines were used in NLCD group and UDCA group for prevention and treatment for 7 weeks. Then the state of the guinea pigs, the formation of gallstones, and the changes of [Ca(2+)]i in gallbladder cells were observed. RESULTS: The [Ca(2+)]i in gallbladder cells of guinea pigs in the untreated group was decreased significantly. NLCD improved the behavioral signs of the guinea pigs, significantly decreased the formative rate of gallstones and increased the [Ca(2+)]i in gallbladder cells. CONCLUSIONS: The [Ca(2+)]i in gallbladder cells is the important factor for contractile function of gallbladder and the information of gallstones. Traditional Chinese herbs for nourishing the liver may significantly increase the [Ca(2+)]i in gallbladder cells to facilitate contraction of the smooth muscle cells of gallbladder and relieve the cholestatis. It may be one of the mechanisms of traditional Chinese herbs for nourishing the liver in preventing and treating cholelithiasis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanisms of Shengqing Capsules, a compound Chinese herbal medicine for dispersing stagnated liver qi and promoting bile flow, in prevention and treatment of pigment gallstone. METHODS: Liver cells from guinea pigs with pigment gallstone were primarily cultured in vitro. The serums containing different concentrations of Shengqing Capsules were prepared by serum pharmacological method. The primary cultured hepatocytes with excessive expression of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) were stimulated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and the effects of the drug-containing serums on the NF-kappaB expression were detected by Western-blotting. RESULTS: Shengqing Capsules down-regulated the NF-kappaB expression increased by LPS stimulation. The effect is dose-dependent. CONCLUSION: Shengqing Capsules can down-regulate the NF-kappaB expression increased by LPS stimulation. It may be one of the important mechanisms of this Chinese herbal medicine in prevention and treatment for pigment gallstone formation and the inflammatory reaction in biliary tract.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of the inhibiting effects of recipe for dispersing stagnated liver qi to promote bile flow (Danshijing Tablets) on cholesterol gallstone formation and provide experimental evidence for its clinical application. METHODS: Eighty guinea pigs were randomly divided into 4 groups, which were normal control group, untreated group, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA)-treated group and Danshijing Tablets-treated group. The gallstones in guinea pigs were induced by high-cholesterol diet. UDCA and Danshijing Tablets were given orally to guinea pigs in the corresponding group respectively for seven weeks. Then the physical signs of the guinea pigs, the rates of gallstone formation and the histomorphological changes of the gallbladder were examined. RESULTS: The behavior of guinea pigs in the Danshijing Tablets-treated group was obviously improved and the rate of gallstone formation was significantly decreased as compared with those in both untreated and UDCA-treated groups (P<0.05). The inflammation reaction of mucous membrane in gallbladder was evidently reduced in the Danshijing Tablets-treated group and its morphological appearance turned to be approximately normal. CONCLUSION: Recipe for dispersing stagnated liver qi to promote bile flow may decrease gallstone formation. Its mechanism may be related to reducing pathologic changes in gallbladder tissues, which will reduce the damages of cholesterol to the smooth muscle in gallbladder and enhance the contractility of gallbladder.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the molecular mechanisms of Shengqing Capsules in treating cholelithiasis. METHODS: Sixty female guinea pigs were randomized into 3 groups: group I (fed with normal diet), group II (fed with low-protein diet) and group III (fed with low-protein diet and Shengqing Capsules). After six-week feeding, the gallstone formation and the expressions of bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (B-UGT) mRNA and cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) mRNA were observed. RESULTS: The proportions of stone-formed in groups I, II and III were 2/14, 9/12 and 4/14, respectively. There were significant differences among the three groups (P<0.05). The expressions of B-UGT and CYP7A1 mRNAs were higher in both group I and group III as compared with those in the group II (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Shengqing Capsules can reduce the rate of stone-formation, which may be due to its interference of metabolism of bilirubin and cholesterol and up-regulation of the expressions of B-UGT and CYP7A1 mRNAs.