Loganin(LOG),a bioactive compound derived from Cornus officinalis Siebold & Zucc,has been understudied in the context of osteoarthritis(OA)treatment.In this study,we induced an inflammatory response in chondrocytes using lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and subsequently treated these cells with LOG.We employed fluorescence analysis to quantify reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels and measured the expression of NLRP3 and nuclear factor erythropoietin-2-related factor 2(NRF2)using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR),Western blotting,and immunofluorescence(IF)techniques.Additionally,we developed an OA mouse model by performing medial meniscus destabilization(DMM)surgery and monitored disease progression through micro-com-puted tomography(micro-CT),hematoxylin and eosin(H&E)staining,safranin O and fast green(S&F)staining,and immunohisto-chemical(IHC)analysis.Our results indicate that LOG significantly reduced LPS-induced ROS levels in chondrocytes,inhibited the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome,and enhanced NRF2/heme oxygenase 1(HO-1)signaling.In vivo,LOG treatment mitigated cartilage degradation and osteophyte formation triggered by DMM surgery,decreased NLRP3 expression,and increased NRF2 expres-sion.These findings suggest that LOG has a protective effect against OA,potentially delaying disease progression by inhibiting the ROS-NLRP3-IL-1β axis and activating the NRF2/HO-1 pathway.

This study used nasal lavage fluid for metabolomics to explore its feasibility, and applied it to the clinical metabolomics study of Xiaoqinglong Decoction in the treatment of allergic rhinitis(AR), aiming to investigate the molecular mechanism of Xiaoqing-long Decoction in the treatment of AR through differential changes in local nasal metabolism. AR patients were selected as the research subjects, and nasal lavage fluid was collected as the sample. Metabolomics analysis using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was performed on normal group, AR group, and Xiaoqinglong Decoction group. The differences in metabolic profiles among the groups were compared using principal component analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis, and differential metabolites were identified and subjected to corresponding metabolic pathway analysis. The results showed that Xiaoqinglong Decoction significantly improved the symptoms of AR patients. The metabolomics analysis revealed 20 differential metabolites between AR group and Xiaoqinglong Decoction group. The core metabolite with a trending return in comparison to normal group was trimethyladipic acid. The metabolites were involved in multiple pathways, including β-alanine metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis. The feasibility of applying nasal lavage fluid in nasal metabolomics was preliminarily demonstrated. Differential metabolites and enriched pathways in the treatment of AR patients with Xiaoqinglong Decoction were identified, indicating that it may improve rhinitis symptoms through the regulation of various metabolites, including antioxidant effects and correction of Th1/Th2 imbalance.
Humans ; Nasal Lavage Fluid ; Rhinitis, Allergic/drug therapy* ; Metabolomics/methods* ; Metabolome

This study used m-chloropheniperazine(MCPP) and chronic unforeseeable mild stress(CUMS) to induce the rat models of anxiety and depression, respectively. The behaviors of rats were observed by the open field test(OFT), light-dark exploration test(LDE), tail suspension test(TST), and forced swimming test(FST), and the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of agarwood essential oil(AEO), agarwood fragrant powder(AFP), and agarwood line incense(ALI) were explored. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to determine the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT), glutamic acid(Glu), and γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA_A) in the hippocampal area. The Western blot assay was used to determine the protein expression levels of glutamate receptor 1(GluR1) and vesicular glutamate transporter type 1(VGluT1), exploring the anxiolytic and antidepressant mechanism of agarwood inhalation. The results showed that compared with the anxiety model group, the AEO, AFP, and ALI groups decreased the total distance(P<0.05), decreased the velocity of movements(P<0.05), prolonged the immobile time(P<0.05), and reduced the distance and velocity of the rat model of anxiety in the dark box(P<0.05). Compared with the depression model group, the AEO, AFP, and ALI groups increased the total distance and average velocity(P<0.05), reduced the immobile time(P<0.05), and reduced the forced swimming and tail suspension time(P<0.05). In terms of transmitter regulation, the AEO, AFP, and ALI groups decreased the level of Glu in the rat model of anxiety(P<0.05) and increased the levels of GABA_A and 5-HT(P<0.05), while the AEO, AFP, and ALI groups all increased the level of 5-HT in the rat model of depression(P<0.05) and decreased the levels of GABA_A and Glu(P<0.05). At the same time, the AEO, AFP, and ALI groups all increased the protein expression levels of GluR1 and VGluT1 in the hippocampus of the rat models of anxiety and depression(P<0.05). In conclusion, AEO, AFP, and ALI exert anxiolytic and antidepressant effects, and the mechanism might be related to the regulation of the neurotransmitter and the protein expression of GluR1 and VGluT1 in the hippocampus.
Animals ; Rats ; Anti-Anxiety Agents ; Serotonin ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; Antidepressive Agents ; Glutamic Acid ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid

Six month old Cinnamomum cassia seedlings were used to simulate drought stress with polyethylene glycol(PEG 6000). The physiological indicators(osmotic substances, antioxidant enzymes, etc.) and chemical components of seedlings under different drought levels and the correlation between the two were studied. The results showed that the chlorophyll content and relative water content decreased gradually with the increase of PGE 6000(0, 5%, 10%, 15%) concentration and time(3, 5, 7 d), while the soluble protein content, soluble sugar content and catalase(CAT) activity increased, but the rising rate slowed down with the time. The activities of peroxidase(POD), superoxide dismutase(SOD), malondialdehyde(MDA) and proline content increased at first and then decreased. The content of coumarin, cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid and dimethoxycinnamaldehyde decreased, while the content of cinnamyl alcohol continued to increase.Under drought stress, the fluorescence signals of reactive oxygen species and no contents in roots of C. cassia seedlings were significantly stronger than those of the control.Further correlation analysis showed that coumarin content, di-methoxycinnamaldehyde content and osmoregulation substance content were significantly negatively correlated(P<0.05), cinnamic acid content was significantly negatively correlated with POD and SOD activities(P<0.01).It was found that C. cassia seedlings showed a certain degree of drought tolerance under short-term or mild drought stress, but if the drought exceeded a certain degree, the physiological metabolism of the seedlings would be unbalanced.
Catalase ; Cinnamomum aromaticum ; Droughts ; Malondialdehyde ; Seedlings ; Stress, Physiological ; Superoxide Dismutase

OBJECTIVE: To explore the rules of acupoint selection and drug use in treatment of hypertension with acupoint application therapy. METHODS: The articles of the clinical research of hypertension treated with acupoint application therapy were retrieved from Chinese journal full-text database (CNKI), VIP database (VIP) and Wanfang databases from the time of establishment to January 20, 2019. The database was set up with Microsoft Excel 2010. Using the cloud platform of the ancient and modern medicine record, the frequency statistical and clustering analyses were conducted. RESULTS: A total of 117 articles were collected, including 191 prescriptions, 60 aucpoints and 236 kinds of herbal drugs. It was found in the frequency statistical analysis that the top 6 acupoints in use frequency were Yongquan (KI 1), Quchi (LI 11), Taichong (LR 3), Shenque (CV 8), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Neiguan (PC 6). According to the correlation analysis, corresponding to these top 6 acupoints, the pairs of acupoints were Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Yongquan (KI 1), Shenque (CV 8) and Yongquan (KI 1), Neiguan (PC 6) and Yongquan (KI 1), Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Neiguan (PC 6) with Yongquan (KI 1), as well as Yongquan (KI 1) and Neiguan (PC 6) with Sanyinjiao (SP 6). The dominant meridians were the kidney meridian, the conception vessel and the bladder meridian. The special acupoints referred to -source point, -connecting point, back- point and front- point. The top 3 herbal drugs in use frequency included , and . The herbs used were mainly warm and slight cold in nature and neutral in property. The frequencies of the drug use were similar in the application for cold and heat purposes. The common flavors of the herbal medicines were pungent, sweat and bitter and the liver, kidney and spleen meridians were generally involved in meridian tropism. CONCLUSION In treatment of hypertension with acupoint application therapy, the commonly used single acupoint is Yongquan (KI 1), which is generally combined with Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Shenque (CV 8), Neiguan (PC 6) and Zusanli (ST 36). The correlation is emphasized on the application of special acupoints, meridian points and organs. The vesicatory herbal drugs are predominant in the drug use. In generally, this therapy embodies the treatment principles as tonifying for the deficiency and reducing for the excess, as well as balancing of cold and heat.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Hypertension ; therapy ; Meridians

Objective:To observe the effect of Changji'an prescription on intestinal permeability in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) rats and explore its mechanism for treatment of IBS-D. Method:Male SD neonatal rats were randomly divided into five groups:normal group, model group, pinaverium bromide group(0.018 g·kg^-1), high-dose(33.48 g·kg^-1) and low-dose (16.74 g·kg^-1)Changji'an prescription groups. Except for the normal group, the IBS-D model was established by the combination of maternal and infant separation+acetic acid stimulation+restraint stress. After drug treatment, the ultrastructure of rat intestinal mucosa was observed by using transmission electron microscopy and the plasma D-lactate level was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression levels of tight junction proteins Occludin and Claudin-1 were detected by Western blot. The mRNA expression levels of Occludin,Claudin-1 and zonula occluden(ZO)-1 were detected by real time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). Result:As compared with the normal group, the intestinal mucosal epithelial cells were damaged in IBS-D model group, and the microvilli arrangement was sparse and tight junction was widened, and some were not obvious,and the plasma D-lactate level in IBS-D rats was increased significantly (P<0.05),and the mRNA and protein expression levels of Occludin and Claudin-1 in the colon were decreased and the mRNA expression of ZO-1 was also decreased (P<0.05). After drug treatment, as compared with the model group, all drug-administered groups can repair intestinal mucosal cell damage. Plasma D-lactate level in pinaverium bromide group and high-dose Changji'an prescription group was significantly decreased (P<0.05) while D-lactate level in the low-dose group Changji'an prescription group had a tendency to decrease with no statistical difference. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Occludin and Claudin-1 and the mRNA expression of ZO-1 in the colon of rats in each administration group were higher than those in the model group (P<0.05). Conclusion:The therapeutic effect of Changji'an prescription on IBS-D may be achieved by improving the intestinal permeability.

Objective: This article was to evaluate the applicability and feasibility of "Lingnanzhun" -an "Internet Plus-based HIV Self-testing Tool" targeting MSM in Guangzhou. Hopefully, the results could be used to improve the existing HIV testing services and to support the implementation and scale-up of HIV self-testing programs. Methods: Data were collected from a survey on HIV testing preferences among the Internet-using MSM in April to June, 2015. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were applied to identify factors associated with the use of HIV self-testing service provided by Lingnanzhun. Information related to the users of Lingnanzhun during September 2014 and December 2018 was also collected. Results: 769 MSM were recruited as participants. Of them, age distribution was 16-77(28.6±6.8) years old, 88.3%(679/769) were unmarried, 42.2%(325/769) were registered residents of Guangzhou, 82.1%(631/769) had university or college education. Among them, 195 (25.4%) used the HIV self- testing program of Lingnanzhun while 574 (74.6%) using the clinic service. Compared with the clinic service users, the Lingnanzhun users showed the following characteristics: longer experience in the MSM community ≥10 years (32.8% vs. 20.9%, 64/195 vs. 120/574); having male casual sexual partners ≥2 (42.1% vs. 29.6%, 82/195 vs. 170/574); having group sex (6.2% vs. 2.6%, 12/195 vs. 15/574) and having commercial sex with men (13.8% vs. 3.0%, 27/195 vs. 17/574). Data from the Lingnanzhun users showed that a total of 3 000 users had practised 5 038 times of self HIV-testings. 11.4% (343/3 000) of the Lingnanzhun users had never been tested. Conclusions It was applicable and feasible to provide Internet-based HIV self-testing service to MSM as a significant complement to the traditional facility-based HIV testing services. It was also useful in accessing those who were having higher risk or had never received HIV testing so as to increase the testing uptake and the frequency.

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of levels related to the risk through self-evaluation system, among MSM users in Guangzhou, between 2015 and 2017. Methods: Between 2015 and 2017, data was collected from the users of a self-evaluation system network related to HIV infection, based on the previous 'HIV health risk appraisal model’. Information on risk factors was collected to calculate the scores and levels of risks and to estimate the incidence of HIV. Taking the reference of R value on risks as (R=0.9-1.1) in general population. The ones with very low risk, with low risk, moderate risk, high risk and very high risk were set as R≤0.5, 0.5<R≤0.9, 0.9<R≤1.1, 1.1< R≤2.0 and R>2.0, respectively. The scores of modifiable risk factors were compared with different subgroups of MSM. Results: A total of 4 601 MSM were involved in this study, with the following features presented as: aged 16-64 (28.38±7.11) years, proportions of residence from Guangzhou, Guangdong province or other provinces as 38.6%(1 776/4 601)、35.4%(1 629/4 601) and 26.0%(1 197/4 601), 59.6%(2 742/4 601) received bachelor or above degrees. 81.3%(3 741/4 601) of them claimed as having homosexual orientation. R values of risk level on very low risk, low risk level, moderate risk, high risk and very high risk appeared as 12.9%(594/4 601), 50.9%(2 342/4 601), 17.0%(783/4 601), 14.8%(682/4 601) and 4.3%(200/4 601), respectively. Scores of modifiable risk factors decreased year by year (P<0.05), among MSM in this study. In either of the groups that experiencing insertive or receptive sex, the ones with heterosexual orientation presented the highest scores of modifiable risk factors (P<0.05). Conclusions The risk levels on HIV infections called for special attention among the users of the self-evaluation network system. Among the MSM that carrying either insertive or receptive sex role, the ones with heterosexual orientation had the highest risk levels and scores of modifiable risk factors in Guangzhou. Further study should be explored to better understand the causes of related risks.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the "Internet Plus-based AIDS Comprehensive Prevention Service System" among men who have sex with men in Guangzhou. Methods: Data through case-reporting and follow-up programs on MSM HIV/AIDS in Guangzhou was collected from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention, which including those from the referral and follow-up treatment compliance programs in 2008-2014 (pre-treatment) and 2017-2018 (post-treatment). According to the types of care services, three groups were set as: with "Internet Plus" service, with 'HIV counseling/testing service’ or with 'routine medical service’. General Estimating Equation (GEE) was used to analyze the follow up situation of HIV/AIDS cases, annually. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the proportions of treatment referral, within the 30 days of diagnosis. Results: Before the implementation of immediate treatment after HIV diagnosis, 90.6% (707/780) of the HIV/AIDS cases received the first follow up program including the CD₄⁺ T cells counts (CD₄) test service within 90 days of diagnosis, in the "Internet Plus-based HIV/AIDS care service" group presented 1.19 times (95%CI: 1.14-1.25) of the routine medical service group. The implementation of immediate treatment after HIV diagnosis, compared with the routine medical service group, the "Internet Plus" service group presented 1.71 times (95%CI: 1.03- 2.83) more treatment referrals within the 30 days of diagnosis, when the first testing CD₄ was ≤200 cells/μl. Compared with the routine medical service group, the HIV counseling and testing service group showed 1.37 times (95%CI: 1.20-1.56) more of the treatment referrals within the 30 days of HIV diagnosis, after the first testing CD₄ counts as >200 cells/μl. Conclusion Standardized care and follow-up service should be promoted as soon as the referral and treatment programs were set after the diagnosis was made, under the "Internet Plus-based AIDS Comprehensive Prevention Service System" for the MSM population, in Guangzhou.

To study the SSR loci information and develop molecular markers, a total of 43 683 Unigenes in transcriptome of Andrographis paniculata were used to explore SSR. The distribution frequency of SSR and the basic characteristics of repeat motifs were analyzed using MicroSAtellite software, SSR primers were designed by Primer 3.0 software and then validated by PCR. Moreover, the gene function analysis of SSR Unigene was obtained by Blast. The results showed that 14 135 SSR loci were found in the transcriptome of A. paniculata, which distributed in 9 973 Unigenes with a distribution frequency of 32.36%. Di-nucleotide and Tri-nucleotide repeat were the main types, accounted for 75.54% of all SSRs. The repeat motifs of AT/AT and CCG/CGG were the predominant repeat types of Di-nucleotide and Tri-nucleotide, respectively. A total of 4 740 pairs of SSR primers with the potential to produce polymorphism were designed for maker development. Ten pairs of primers in 20 pairs of randomly picked primers produced fragments with expected molecular size. The gene function of Unigenes containing SSR were mostly related to the basic metabolism function of A. paniculata. The SSR markers in transcriptome of A. paniculata show rich type, strong specificity and high potential of polymorphism, which will benefit the candidate gene mining and marker-assisted breeding.