Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) is a chronic metabolic bone disease caused by a decrease in estrogen levels. With the acceleration of population aging process, the public health burden caused by it is becoming increasingly severe. The prevalence rate of osteoporosis in people over 65 years old in China is as high as 32%, which is especially prominent after menopause, which is about 5 times that of elderly men. About 40% of postmenopausal women are at risk of osteoporotic fractures, with a disability rate of up to 50% and a fatality rate of about 20%. The prevention and treatment of osteoporosis has become a major public health issue of global concern, and it is particularly urgent to develop reasonable and effective prevention and treatment programs and explore their scientific basis. Exercise is an important non-drug means for the prevention and treatment of PMOP, it can improve estrogen levels and the expression of bone formation transcription factors, and inhibit the levels of proinflammatory factors and bone resorption markers, macroscopically manifested by the improvement of bone microstructure and bone density. However, the effectiveness of exercise in improving bone mineral density (BMD) remains controversial. Some studies revealed significant changes of bone to mechanical stimulation, while others showed no significant effect of mechanical training, this heterogeneity in bone adapt to mechanical stimulation is particularly evident in postmenopausal women. Although the evidence that a wide range of exercise programs can improve osteoporosis, the optimal solution to address bone mineral loss remains unclear. The most effective exercise type, dosage and personalized adaptation are still being determined. This study will fully consider the differences in gender and hormone levels, searching and screening randomized controlled trials of PubMed, CNKI and other databases regarding exercise improving bone mineral density in women with PMOP. Strictly following the PRISMA guidelines to reviewed and compared the effects of different types of exercise modalities on BMD at different sites in women with PMOP by network Meta-analysis, to provide theoretical guidance to maintain or improve BMD in women with PMOP.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect and mechanism of modified Dingjingtang in regulating the Toll-like receptor 2 （TLR2）/nuclear factor （NF）-κB/NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） signaling pathway to inhibit inflammatory skin lesions in the rat model of acne. MethodsForty-eight rats were randomized into the normal， model， low-， medium-， and high-dose （8.1， 16.2， and 32.4 g·kg^-1） modified Dingjingtang， and doxycycline hydrochloride （0.27 g·kg^-1） groups， with 8 rats in each group. Rats in other groups except the normal group were modeled by intradermal injection and intraperitoneal injection of Propionibacterium acnes. After successful modeling， rats in the intervention groups were treated with corresponding agents by gavage， and those in the normal and model groups with an equal volume of normal saline， once a day for 14 consecutive days. Then， the samples were collected. The general conditions， ear thickness， and body weight changes of rats were observed. Biochemical methods were used to determine superoxide dismutase （SOD） and malondialdehyde （MDA） levels in the ear tissue. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson's staining were used to observe the pathological changes and collagen deposition， respectively， in the ear tissue. Immunohistochemistry was employed to determine the interleukin （IL）-1β level in the ear tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was adopted to measure the levels of IL-1β， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， and IL-6 in the serum. The total antioxidant capacity method was adopted to assess the reactive oxygen species （ROS） content in the ear tissue. Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction were employed to determine the protein and mRNA levels， respectively， of TLR2， myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）， NF-κB， NLRP3， and cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 （Caspase-1） in the ear tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group had increased ear skin thickness （P<0.01）， elevated ROS and MDA levels （P<0.01）， reduced SOD content （P<0.05）， and increased collagen deposition （P<0.01） in the ear tissue. In addition， the model group showed raised IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α levels in the serum （P<0.01） and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of TLR2， MyD88， NF-κB， NLRP3， and Caspase-1 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the high- and medium-dose modified Dingjingtang groups showed significant improving effects regarding the above indicators （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionModified Dingjingtang can ameliorate the inflammatory skin lesions in the rat model of acne by regulating the TLR2/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of manual acupuncture on endometrial blood flow parameters by three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasound in women undergoing in vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET). METHODS: Seventy patients undergoing IVF-ET were equally randomized into traditional or sham acupuncture treatment group for totally 4 days (from the day of oocyte aspiration to the day of embryo transfer) of treatment by random envelope method at the Reproductive Medicine Center and Outpatient Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medicine College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January 2013 to December 2015. Patients in the traditional acupuncture group accepted traditional acupuncture methods with manual acupuncture, and Zhongji (CV3), Qihai (CV 6), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Taichong (LR 3), Tianshu (ST 25), Guilai (ST 29) and Zusanli (ST 36) were chosen. Patients at the sham acupuncture group accepted shallow acupuncture methods at 4 non-meridian points at each shoulder and upper arm. Outcome measures included endometrial ultrasonic indices such as vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization flow index (VFI), endometrial thickness and volume, subendometrial VI (sVI), subendometrial FI (sFI), subendometrial VFI (sVFI), implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, abortion rate, live birth rate and number of live births. RESULTS: Finally, 34 patients in the traditional acupuncture group and 35 in the sham acupuncture group completed this trial. VI, FI and VFI of the traditional acupuncture group were significantly higher than those in the sham acupuncture group (P<0.05). No significant differences were found in endometrial thickness, endometrial volume, sVI, sFI, sVFI, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, abortion rate, live birth rate and number of live births (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Manual acupuncture performed after oocyte aspiration and before transplantation improved the endometrial blood flow parameters VI, RI and VFI in women who underwent IVF-ET, instead of sVI, sFI and sVFI. Therefore, acupuncture might be beneficial in women undergoing IVF-ET by increasing endometrial blood flow and endometrial receptivity. (Registration No. ChiCTR2100053354).
Pregnancy ; Humans ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro/methods* ; Single-Blind Method ; Embryo Transfer ; Pregnancy Rate ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Endometrium/blood supply*

OBJECTIVE: To study the in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of the polysaccharide of Alocasia cucullata (PAC) and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: B16F10 and 4T1 cells were cultured with PAC of 40 µg/mL, and PAC was withdrawn after 40 days of administration. The cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8. The expression of Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 proteins were detected by Western blot and the expressions of ERK1/2 mRNA were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). A mouse melanoma model was established to study the effect of PAC during long-time administration. Mice were divided into 3 treatment groups: control group treated with saline water, positive control group (LNT group) treated with lentinan at 100 mg/(kg·d), and PAC group treated with PAC at 120 mg/(kg·d). The pathological changes of tumor tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The apoptosis of tumor tissues was detected by TUNEL staining. Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 protein expressions were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the expressions of ERK1/2, JNK1 and p38 mRNA were detected by qRT-PCR. RESULTS: In vitro, no strong inhibitory effects of PAC were found in various tumor cells after 48 or 72 h of administration. Interestingly however, after 40 days of cultivation under PAC, an inhibitory effect on B16F10 cells was found. Correspondingly, the long-time administration of PAC led to downregulation of Bcl-2 protein (P<0.05), up-regulation of Caspase-3 protein (P<0.05) and ERK1 mRNA (P<0.05) in B16F10 cells. The above results were verified by in vivo experiments. In addition, viability of B16F10 cells under long-time administration culture in vitro decreased after drug withdrawal, and similar results were also observed in 4T1 cells. CONCLUSIONS Long-time administration of PAC can significantly inhibit viability and promote apoptosis of tumor cells, and had obvious antitumor effect in tumor-bearing mice.
Mice ; Animals ; Alocasia/metabolism* ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Caspase 3/metabolism* ; Apoptosis ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of Tripterygium wilfordii multiglycoside (TGW) in the treatment of psoriatic dermatitis from a cellular immunological perspective. METHODS: Mouse models of psoriatic dermatitis were established by imiquimod (IMQ). Twelve male BALB/c mice were assigned to IMQ or IMQ₊TGW groups according to a random number table. Histopathological changes in vivo were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Ratios of immune cells and cytokines in mice, as well as PAM212 cell proliferation in vitro were assessed by flow cytometry. Pro-inflammatory cytokine expression was determined using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: TGW significantly ameliorated the severity of IMQ-induced psoriasis-like mouse skin lesions and restrained the activation of CD45⁺ cells, neutrophils and T lymphocytes (all P<0.01). Moreover, TGW significantly attenuated keratinocytes (KCs) proliferation and downregulated the mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-23, tumor necrosis factor α, and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Furthermore, it reduced the number of γ δ T17 cells in skin lesion of mice and draining lymph nodes (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS TGW improved psoriasis-like inflammation by inhibiting KCs proliferation, as well as the associated immune cells and cytokine expression. It inhibited IL-17 secretion from γ δ T cells, which improved the immune-inflammatory microenvironment of psoriasis.
Male ; Animals ; Mice ; Tripterygium ; Psoriasis/drug therapy* ; Keratinocytes ; Skin Diseases/metabolism* ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Imiquimod/metabolism* ; Dermatitis/pathology* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Skin/metabolism*

Six compounds were isolated from the roots of Ephedra sinica Stapf using various chromatographic techniques such as silica gel column chromatography, thin layer chromatography and semi-preparative HPLC. Their chemical structures were identified by analysis of physicochemical properties and spectral data, and determined as (Z)-docosanylferulate (1), (E)-docosanylferulate (2), bis (2-ethylheptyl) phythalate (3), 2,2′-oxybis (1,4-di-tert-butylbenzene) (4), diisobutyl phthalate (5), bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (6). Among them, compound 1 is a new compound, compounds 2-4 were first isolated from Ephedra. A corticosterone-induced PC-12 cell injury model was used for compound activity screening. The results showed that compounds 1 and 5 significantly improved corticosterone-induced PC-12 cell injury and significantly increased 5-HT₇ receptor protein expression in the cells, indicating potential antidepressant activity.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the chemical constituents and components absorbed into plasma of the extract of Ardisia crenata and to elucidate its possible pharmacodynamic material basis. METHODS Overall， 12 rats were randomly assigned to the blank group （n＝6） and A. crenata group （n＝6） by the paired comparison method. The drug was administered once daily in the morning and afternoon for three days. Serum samples were prepared from serum after redosing on 4th day. The UPLC-QE-HF-MS/ MS was used to analyze and identify the chemical constituents in A. crenata extract and serum samples. Compound Discoverer 3.0 was employed for retention time correction， peak identification， and peak extraction. According to the secondary mass spectrometry information， the Thermo mzCloud online and Thermo mzVault local databases， referring to the relevant literature and control quality spectrum information were used to preliminarily identify the chemical constituents and components absorbed into plasma of A. crenata. RESULTS A total of 34 compounds were identified from the extract of A. crenata， mainly coumarins， flavonoids， organic acids， amino acids， including bergenin， quercetin， gallic acid， L-pyroglutamic acid， etc. Besides， 5 components absorbed into plasma were identified from serum samples: L-pyroglutamic acid， syringic acid， bergenin， cinnabar root saponin A， and mycophenolic acid. CONCLUSIONS L-pyroglutamic acid， syringic acid， bergenin， cinnabar root saponin A， and mycophenolic acid may act as the pharmacodynamic material basis of A. crenata.

Humans ; Aged ; Lung Diseases ; Pneumonia/drug therapy* ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use* ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/drug therapy* ; Administration, Inhalation ; Community-Acquired Infections/drug therapy*

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of navel application of Jianpi Hewei Adhesive Plaster combined with oral use of modified Sini Hewei Anshen Decoction in treating diabetic gastroparesis(DGP)accompanied by anxiety of liver-stomach disharmony type in type 2 diabetes patients.Methods One hundred patients with DGP accompanied by anxiety of liver-stomach disharmony type were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group,with 50 patients in each group.The control group was given oral use of Mosapride Citrate Tablets orally,and the treatment group was given navel application of Jianpi Hewei Adhesive Plaster combined with oral use of modified Sini Hewei Anshen Decoction.The course of treatment for the two groups covered 4 weeks.The two groups were observed in the changes of the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index(GCSI)scores,Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA)scores,gastric emptying time,and levels of fasting blood glucose(FBG),2-hour postprandial blood glucose(2hPG),glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c),plasma motilin(MOT),gastrin(GAS),and serum tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α)and interleukin 6(IL-6)before and after the treatment.After treatment,the clinical efficacy and safety of the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)During the trial,4 patients in the treatment group and 3 patients in the control group fell off,and eventually a total of 93 patients were included for the efficacy statistics,including 46 patients in the treatment group and 47 patients in the control group.(2)After 4 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate of the treatment group was 95.65%(44/46)and that of the control group was 76.60%(36/47).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the therapeutic effect of the treatment group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores(including epigastric and abdominal congestion,depression or irritability,and poor appetite)and GCSI scores in the two groups were decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05)and the gastric emptying time was shortened compared with that before treatment(P＜0.05),and the effect of the treatment group on decreasing TCM syndrome scores and GCSI scores and on shortening the gastric emptying time were significantly superior to that of the control group(P＜0.01).(4)After treatment,the plasma MOT and GAS levels of the two groups were increased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the increase in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(5)After treatment,the levels of glucose metabolism indicators of FBG,2hPG,and HbA1c in the two groups were decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),but the differences of all glucose metabolism indicators between the two groups after treatment were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).(6)After treatment,the serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels in the two groups were decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(7)After treatment,the total HAMA scores and the scores of mental anxiety factor and somatic anxiety factor of HAMA in the two groups were decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the effect on lowering the scores in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(8)During the treatment period,no significant adverse reactions occurred in the two groups of patients,which has high safety.Conclusion Navel application of Jianpi Hewei Adhesive Plaster combined with oral use of modified Sini Hewei Anshen Decoction exerts certain efficacy in treating DGP accompanied by anxiety of liver-stomach disharmony type.The therapy is effective on relieving clinical symptoms,enhancing gastric motility,inhibiting inflammatory response,and improving anxiety emotion and the quality of life of the patients.

In this article,the mechanism of Shanxian Granule in inhibiting liver cancer,lung cancer,sarcoma,melanoma and other tumors was reviewed,with a view to providing a theoretical basis for the clinical research of Shanxian Granules in the treatment of malignant tumors.Shanxian Granule are the pure Chinese medicine preparation for counteracting malignant tumor developed by the Oncology Research Team of Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine on the basis of the theory of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation and treatment combined with decades of clinical experience as well as the achievements of modern pharmacological research.Shanxian Granule are mainly composed of Crataegi Fructus,Agrimoniae Herba,Panacis Quinquefolii Radix,Curcumae Rhizoma,Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum,Trionycis Carapax,Corydalis Rhizoma,and Polyporus,and have the actions of benefiting qi and nourishing yin,supporting healthy-qi and cultivating the essence,activating blood and removing stasis,and eliminating swelling and counteracting cancer.The compatibility of Shanxian Granule embodies the principle of supporting healthy-qi but avoiding maintaining pathogens,and eliminating pathogens but avoiding injuring healthy-qi.The granules can effectively inhibit the growth and metastasis of liver cancer,lung cancer,sarcoma,melanoma and other tumors both in vivo and in vitro,alleviate the clinical symptoms of tumor patients,and improve their prognosis.The anti-tumor mechanism of Shanxian Granules is related to the enhancement of body immune function,inhibition of tumor cell proliferation,enhancement of tumor cell apoptosis,inhibition of tumor cell invasion and metastasis as well as the tumor angiogenesis.