Aralia taibaiensi, widely distributed in western China, particularly in the Qinba Mountains, has been utilized as a folk medicine for treating diabetes, gastropathy, rheumatism, and cardiovascular diseases. Saponins from A. taibaiensis (sAT) have demonstrated protective effects against oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In vivo, middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) induced inflammatory infiltration, neuronal injury, cell apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress in the ischaemic penumbra, which were effectively mitigated by sAT. sAT increased the mRNA and protein expression levels of apelin and its receptor apelin/apelin receptors (ARs) both in vivo and in vitro. (Ala13)-Apelin-13 (F13A) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) abolished the regulatory effects of sAT on neuroprotection mediated by adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/protein kinase B (Akt). Furthermore, sAT induced apelin/AR expression by simultaneously inhibiting P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (P38 MAPK)/activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) and upregulating hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). Our findings indicate that sAT regulates apelin/AR/AMPK by inhibiting P38 MAPK/ATF4 and upregulating HIF-1a, thereby suppressing oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Animals ; Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control* ; Aralia/chemistry* ; Saponins/administration & dosage* ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Male ; Apelin/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Neuroprotective Agents/administration & dosage* ; Brain Ischemia/genetics* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Apelin Receptors/genetics* ; Humans ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Mice

Objective:To explore the effect of Zhuyu Xiaozhong Decoction combined with warm acupuncture and moxibustion on rotator cuff injury of qi stagnation and blood stasis type.Methods:A total of 120 patients with rotator cuff injury of qi stagnation and blood stasis type treated at the First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine from October 2021 to October 2023 were randomly divided into a control group ( n=60) and an observation group ( n=60) according to the random drawing method. The control group received routine treatment, while the observation group received Zhuyu Xiaozhong Decoction combined with warming acupuncture and moxibustion on this basis. Two groups of treatment effects were compared, including total effective rate, inflammation indicators, pain status, shoulder joint function and range of motion, and quality of life. Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Shoulder Joint Function Rating Scale (CMS), and Quality of Life Comprehensive Assessment Questionnaire (GQOLI-74) were used to evaluate patients′ pain status, shoulder joint function, and quality of life, respectively. Results:After treatment, the total effective rate of the observation group was higher than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05); Before treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) between the two groups (all P>0.05); After treatment, the levels of serum CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α in both groups were lower than before treatment, and the levels of serum CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α in the observation group were lower than those in the control group after treatment (all P<0.05). Before treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in VAS scores and GQOLI-74 total scores between the two groups (all P>0.05); After treatment, the VAS scores of both groups were lower than before treatment, and the total GQOLI-74 score was higher than before treatment. In addition, the VAS score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group after treatment, and the total GQOLI-74 score was higher than that of the control group, with statistical significance (all P<0.05). Before treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in CMS scores, abduction, flexion, and extension angles between the two groups (all P>0.05); After treatment, the CMS scores of both groups were higher than before treatment, and the angles of abduction, flexion, and extension were greater than before treatment. The CMS scores of the observation group were higher than those of the control group after treatment, and the angles of abduction, flexion, and extension were greater than those of the control group, with statistical significance (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Zhuyu Xiaozhong Decoction combined with warm acupuncture and moxibustion can achieve a better clinical effect in the treatment of rotator cuff injury of qi stagnation and blood stasis type, which can control the inflammatory reaction of the body, alleviate pain symptoms, improve shoulder joint function and mobility, and optimize the quality of life.