This paper primarily investigated the protective effects and potential mechanisms of total saponins from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma in alleviating isoprenaline(ISO)-induced hypertrophy and damage in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Initially, H9c2 cardiomyocytes were used as the research subject to analyze the effects of ISO at different concentrations on cell hypertrophy and damage. On this basis, the H9c2 cardiomyocytes were divided into blank, model, and high-dose(200 μg·mL~(-1)), medium-dose(100 μg·mL~(-1)), and low-dose(50 μg·mL~(-1)) groups of total saponins from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma. Cell hypertrophy and damage models were induced by treating cells with 400 μmol·L~(-1) ISO for 24 hours. The Incucyte live-cell analysis system was utilized to observe the status, size changes, and confluence of the cells in each group. Cell viability was detected by using the CCK-8 assay. Western blot analysis was employed to detect the expression of Ras-associated protein 7A(RAB7A), sequestosome 1(SQSTM1/p62), autophagy-related protein Beclin1, and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3). Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression level of the autophagy marker Beclin1 in H9c2 cells. The results demonstrated that compared with the blank group, the model group showed a significant reduction in cell viability(P<0.01) and a marked increase in cell hypertrophy, with an average cell length growth of 13.53%. Compared with the model group, the high-dose, medium-dose, and low-dose groups of total saponins from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma exhibited reduced hypertrophy, with respective growths of 6.89%, 8.30%, and 8.49% and a significant decrease in growth rates(P<0.01). Cell viability in the high-dose of total saponins from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma was also significantly increased(P<0.01). Western blot and immunofluorescence results indicated that compared with the blank group, the model group showed changes in Beclin1, RAB7A, and p62 expression, as well as the LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio, although most changes were not statistically significant. In the groups treated with total saponins from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma, the expression of autophagy-related proteins Beclin1 and RAB7A and the LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio were significantly increased(P<0.05), while p62 expression significantly decreased(P<0.05). These findings collectively suggested that pretreatment of cells with total saponins from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma significantly enhanced autophagy activity in cells. In summary, total saponins from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma inhibit ISO-induced hypertrophy and damage in H9c2 cells by promoting autophagy, demonstrating potential cardioprotective effects and providing new insights and scientific evidence for their preventive and therapeutic use in cardiovascular diseases.
Autophagy/drug effects* ; Saponins/pharmacology* ; Panax notoginseng/chemistry* ; Panax/chemistry* ; Animals ; Rats ; Cell Line ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Rhizome/chemistry* ; Isoproterenol/adverse effects* ; Myocytes, Cardiac/cytology* ; Hypertrophy/drug therapy*

Cases of human infection with H7 subtype avian influenza virus(AIV)combined with five NA subtypes(N2,N3,N4,N7,and N9)have been reported.This study was aimed at establishing a method for simultaneous detection and dif-ferential diagnosis of H7 and five NA subtypes of AIV.Seven pairs of specific primers were designed according to the conserved sequences of the HA gene of H7 subtype AIV,the NA gene of five NA AIV subtypes,and the M gene of all AIV subtypes.A high-throughput GeXP typing method was established for simultaneous detection of the H7 subtype and the five NA subtypes of AIV by using GeXP multiple gene expression and capillary electrophoresis analysis technology.The specificity and sensitivity of the method were determined,and clinical samples were tested.The specificity results indicated that this method was able to simultaneously detect seven target genes in a single tube;each pair of specific primers was able to detect the corresponding AIV subtype,and the universal detection primers were able to detect all subtypes of AIV,with no cross-reaction with other common avian disease pathogens.Sensitivity results demonstrated that this method was able to simultaneously detect seven target genes with a threshold detection limit was 100 copies/μL.The detection results for 150 clinical samples were consistent with those of viral isolation and identification.The high-throughput GeXP method for simultaneous differential diagnosis of the H7 subtype and five subtypes of AIV established in this study has advantages of high specificity,high sensitivity,rapidity,and simplicity,thus providing a new detection method for the effective prevention and control of AIV.

This study aimed to investigate the potential mechanism and the compatibility significance of Tanyu Tongzhi Formula in treating atherosclerosis(AS) in mice based on the transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)/Smad2/3 signaling pathway. Eight C57BL/6J mice were as assigned to a normal control group and fed a regular diet, while 35 ApoE~(-/-) mice of the same strain were fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks to establish an AS model. The model mice were randomly divided into a model group, a Tanyu Tongzhi group(18.2 mg·kg~(-1)), a Huatan(phlegm-resolving) group(10.4 mg·kg~(-1)), and a Quyu(blood stasis-resolving) group(7.8 mg·kg~(-1)), with 8 mice in each group. Except for the normal group, all other groups continued to be fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks to maintain the AS model, and then the mice were treated by gavage for 8 weeks. Plasma levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), and interleukin-18(IL-18) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining, oil red O staining, and Russell-Movat pentachrome staining were performed to observe the pathological changes in the aortic tissue. The proportions of aortic plaque area, lipid-stained area, collagen fibers, and elastic fibers were calculated. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the protein expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2(TIMP2). Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of TGF-β1, TGF-β2, Smad2/3, and Smad7 in aortic tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR) was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of TGF-β receptor(TGF-βR), TGF-β1, Smad2/3, Smad7, intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1) in aortic tissue. The results showed that compared with the normal control group, the model group had increased plasma TC and LDL-C, significantly decreased HDL-C, and significantly elevated plasma IL-1β and IL-18 levels. The model group also exhibited an increased proportion of aortic plaque area, lipid-stained area, and collagen fiber area, along with significantly upregulated MMP2 and downregulated TIMP2 expression in the aortic arch. Additionally, the expression levels of TGF-βR, TGF-β1, and p-Smad2/3 proteins and mRNA in the aortic tissue were significantly elevated, while Smad7 expression was decreased. Compared with the model group, the Tanyu Tongzhi group showed significantly reduced plasma TC and LDL-C levels, significantly increased HDL-C levels, and significantly decreased plasma IL-1β and IL-18 levels. The Tanyu Tongzhi group also exhibited a significant reduction in aortic plaque size and severity, a significant downregulation of MMP2 expression in the aortic arch, and significantly decreased ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 mRNA expression levels. Moreover, the Tanyu Tongzhi group demonstrated significantly reduced expression levels of TGF-β1 and p-Smad2/3 proteins and mRNA in the aortic tissue, and an increased expression level of Smad7 protein to varying degrees. Compared with the Tanyu Tongzhi group, the Quyu group had significantly higher LDL-C levels and elevated plasma IL-1β and IL-18 levels. The Huatan group showed upregulated MMP2 expression and downregulated TIMP2 expression in the aortic arch. In conclusion, Tanyu Tongzhi Formula, which is composed based on the pathogenesis of phlegm and blood stasis, maintains vascular homeostasis by primarily regulating lipid metabolism and controlling inflammatory factors through the Huatan group, and maintaining vascular wall permeability, inhibiting plaque development, and stabilizing plaques through the Quyu group. The mechanism of action may involve inhibiting TGF-β1 expression in the aorta, reducing Smad2/3 phosphorylation, and simultaneously increasing Smad7 expression.
Animals ; Atherosclerosis/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Male ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/genetics* ; Humans ; Homeostasis/drug effects* ; Aorta/metabolism* ; Smad2 Protein/genetics* ; Smad3 Protein/genetics*

The articles involving Xiangju Capsules were retrieved, and qualitative research and quantitative research methods were combined to evaluate the evidence of the safety, effectiveness, economy, innovation, suitability, accessibility, and characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine( "6+1" dimensions) of this drug. Multi-criteria decision analysis(MCDA) model and CSC v2.0 software were used to comprehensively evaluate the clinical value of Xiangju Capsules in the treatment of rhinosinusitis and clarify the precise clinical positioning. The dimensions are graded A, B, C, or D. Multi-source safety evidence showed that the main adverse reactions were gastrointestinal reactions, rash, itching, dizziness, and headache. Based on the available studies, the risk is controllable and the safety is grade A. Meta-analysis showed that Xiangju Capsules + conventional western medicine could recover the Lund-Kennedy score, Lund-Mackay score, and CT score, relieve headache, nasal congestion, olfactory disturbance, and facial pain, with the effectiveness is grade B. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of Xiangju Capsules + conventional western medicine compared with conventional western medicine alone in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis was 263.71 yuan, about 0.82% of the per capita disposable income. The results of sensitivity analysis showed that the research results were relatively robust. Based on the assumption that the per capita disposable income in 2020 will be the threshold of patients' willingness to pay, it is more economical to use Xiangju Capsules + conventional western medicine. The drug belongs to grade A of the national medical insurance, with an average daily cost of 3.06 yuan, and the economy is grade B. This formula is modified from classic formulas and characteristic empirical formulas, be capable of improving immunity and preventing repeated attacks. It can be used for acute and chronic rhinitis-rhinosinusitis. It had a wide range of applicability, especially for the patients with head and face tenderness. Service innovation was reflected in the measures to guarantee supply, capacity, scalability, and coverage of grass-roots sales channels. The industrial innovation was improved through the management of medicinal resources, pharmaceutical industry, production technology, quality control, scientific research and development, and this formula won three national invention patents. Comprehensively, the innovation of Xiangju Capsules is grade B. According to the survey of 188 medical practitioners and 196 patients in 20 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions of China, the drug was characterized by easy preparation and administration, individualized medication, simple technology and management, convenient use, storage, and transport, and controllable adverse reactions, with the suitability is grade B. Xiangju Capsules showed the cost of 45.9 and 275.4 yuan for treatment of acute and chronic rhinitis-rhinosinusitis, respectively, being well affordable. It was sold in 35 000 medical institutions in China. The dosage form was suitable for transportation, storage, and grass-root application. With rich, sustainable, and available medicinal resources, the accessibility of Xiangju Capsules is grade A. This drug can be used for both acute and chronic rhinitis-rhinosinusitis, clearing heat and expelling pus, and strengthening the exterior to prevent relapse. After this drug was available on the market, over 4 000 cases were studied, with rich experience in human use accumulated, and characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine is grade B. Overall, the clinical value of Xiangju Capsules is class B. It is suggested that Xiangju Capsules should be used in accordance with the relevant policies of basic clinical drug administration to play its role.
Humans ; Rhinitis/drug therapy* ; Sinusitis/drug therapy* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Headache ; China ; Capsules

Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; Humans ; Lung ; Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis/therapy*

This study systematically sorted out the existing studies about Tianshu Capsules in the treatment of migraine(syndrome of blood stasis blocking collaterals, syndrome of ascendant hyperactivity of liver Yang), and conducted comprehensive clinical evaluation through "6+1" dimensions of safety, effectiveness, economy, innovation, suitability, accessibility, and characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) to embody the advantages and characteristics and clarify the precise clinical position of Tianshu Capsules. The value of each dimension was calculated via health technology assessment, the multi-criteria decision analysis(MCDA) mo-del and CSC v2.0 software. The results were graded into four levels of A, B, C, or D from high to low. According to the available studies, Tianshu Capsules had low and controllable risks, with the safety rated as A. The drug has obvious clinical significance in the treatment of migraine(syndrome of blood stasis blocking collaterals, syndrome of ascendant hyperactivity of liver Yang), with the effectiveness rated as A. It has clear economic results, with the economy rated as B. The clinical innovation, service system innovation, and industrial innovation are all good, and thus the innovation of Tianshu Capsules is grade A. The drug can meet clinical medication demand of medical care and patients, and thus its suitability is grade A. In view of the reasonable drug price, affordability, and availability, the accessibility is grade A. The prescription originated from the Daxiong Pills recorded in the classic Comprehensive Recording of Sage-like Benefit. In clinical trials, 4 675 patients have used Tianshu Capsules, which indicates rich experience in human administration, and the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine is grade B. The statutory drug information complies with national stan-dards, and the non-statutory information is standard and accurate. Based on the comprehensive evaluation results of various dimensions of evidence, the clinical value of Tianshu Capsules in the treatment of migraine(syndrome of blood stasis blocking collaterals and syndrome of ascendant hyperactivity of liver Yang) is class A. According to the Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation Management Guidelines of Drugs(trial version 2021) issued by the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, we recommend that Tianshu Capsules treating migraine can be transformed into relevant policy results for clinical medication management according to procedures.
Capsules ; Humans ; Liver ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Migraine Disorders/drug therapy* ; Syndrome

At present, the value evaluation of Chinese patent medicines is in the exploratory stage, and a clinical value evaluation system that can reflect the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine has not been established. This article investigates four universal drug value tools from abroad, namely, evidence rating matrix, cancer value label, patient-perspective value framework and multiple criteria decision analysis advance value framework. The evidence rating matrix is used to measure the benefits and risks of different treatment measures, and the net health benefit is used as the best estimate point to evaluate the value of treatment; the cancer value label is mainly used to weigh the economic value and innovative value of drug treatment programs of different anti-tumor drugs by matrix composed the ratio between the expected result and the cost; the patient-perspective value framework emphasizes the evaluation of the value of different healthcare intervention methods from the patient's perspective; multiple criteria decision analysis advance value framework measures the value of drugs or measures from multiple dimensions. Combined with the characteristics of the above universal drug value evaluation tools and the correlation research of domestic drug value evaluation, the paper proposes to analyze the characteristics of Chinese patent medicine value evaluation from the six dimensions of effectiveness, safety, innovation, economy, suitability and accessibility of Chinese patent medicine, and expounds the strategy of constructing Chinese patent medicine value evaluation tool, so as to provide reference for the drug value evaluation and decision-making application of Chinese patent medicine.
China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Nonprescription Drugs

To analyze the clinincal application characteristics of Xiyanping Injection in real world. The data of the patients came from the hospital information systerm(HIS) of 29 tertiary hospitals in China from 2006 to 2016. It included three parts about basic information, Western medicine diagnosis information, and doctor advice information. The exploration was conducted for the characteristics of the patients and disease distribution as well as the therapeutic regimen. Apriori algorithm was adopted to establish the models, and Clementing 12.0 was used for a correlation analysis of the comprehensive therapeutic regimen of Xiyanping Injection. There were 194 873 cases in the study. The male to female ratio was 1.44∶1. The median age was 4 years old. The median daily dosage was 200 mg. 46.68% of the patients were administered with 250-500 mg, and 33.07% were 50-100 mg one day. 47.08% of the patients were administered for 4-7 d, and 32.65% of the patients were 1-3 d. In the doctor advice information, the most frequently types of Western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine were mucilagin, heat-clearing agent. Second generation cephalosporins, third generation cephalosporins, compound penicillin were the most common types of antibiotic. Interferon, nucleoside and nucleotide, human immunoglobulin were the most common types of antiviral drug. The mining association rules results were analyzed, finding the application of Xiyanping Injection in severe infectious diseases. To improve respiratory symptoms, Xiyanping Injection treaments were Budesonide + Ipratropium Bromide + Ambroxol. To severe pulmonary infection, the treaments were Dopamine + Ambroxine. To severe hand, foot and mouth disease, the treatments were Namefen + Mannitol. To pulmonary heart failure, the treatments were Dobutamine + Heparin. Based on the results of the real world HIS, we could provide clinical application the idea, and a reference for further excavation of the applicable diseases of Xiyanping Injection.
Child, Preschool ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Injections ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; drug therapy

ObjectiveTo determine the zinc levels in the expressed prostatic secretion (EPS) of the patients with different types of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis, and explore the reference value of zinc concentration in EPS in the diagnosis and treatment of prostatitis.

METHODSWe collected EPS samples from 35 healthy men and 173 patients with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis, including 65 cases of type ⅢA, 69 cases of type ⅢB, and 39 cases of type Ⅳ, according to the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI). We compared the zinc levels in the EPS samples among different groups and analyzed the correlations of zinc concentration with the NIH-CPSI scores, WBC count, pH value, and age of the subjects.

RESULTSThe participants were aged 17－65 (32.5±8.5) years. The zinc concentrations in the EPS were significantly lower in the ⅢA (［162.2±10.8］ μg/ml) and ⅢB (［171.2±12.0］ μg/ml) than in the Ⅳ (［234.6±17.9］ μg/ml) (P<0.05 ) and the control group (［259.5±14.6］ μg/ml) (P<0.05 ). The zinc level was correlated negatively with the NIH-CPSI pain score (r=－0.248, P<0.01), quality of life score (r=－0.232, P<0.01), severity score (r=－0.270, P<0.01), total NIH-CPSI score (r=－0.281, P<0.01), and the pH value in EPS (r=－0.208, P<0.01), but showed no correlation with the WBC count and age of the subjects.

CONCLUSIONSThe reduced zinc concentration in the EPS of the patients with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis may be associated with the pain symptoms of the disease, which suggests the potential reference value of measuring the zinc concentration in EPS in the diagnosis and treatment of prostatitis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain ; metabolism ; Prostatitis ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Quality of Life ; Young Adult ; Zinc ; metabolism

Influenza poses a great threat to life and health in populations worldwide. Studies regarding the protein components of influenza viruses will facilitate the research and development of vaccines and diag nostic reagents. The influenza virus contains both structural and non-structural proteins. From the outset, it has been accepted that an influenza A virus possesses eight gene segments that encode eight corresponding viral proteins, respectively. Research has demonstrated that the M gene encodes the M2 ion channe! protein and the NS gene encodes the non-structural protein, NS2. In recent years, several novel viral proteins have been identified from influenza A viruses. This article will briefly describe the state of current research into PA-related proteins of influenza A viruses.
Animals ; Humans ; Influenza A virus ; enzymology ; genetics ; Influenza, Human ; virology ; RNA Replicase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Viral Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism