Latest ArticlesThe meridian sinews are the important part of the meridian system. Qi and blood are subtle substances that have the functions of moistening and nourishing and lubricating joints. The physiological and pathological processes of the meridian sinews are always accompanied by the deficiency-excess changes of Qi and blood. The Qi and blood circulation of the sinew-meridian complex affects many microcirculation patterns. This paper analyzed the relationship between meridian sinews and Qi and blood circulation from the physiological and pathological perspectives of meridian sinew system, and explained the application ideas of meridian sinew Qi-blood syndrome differentiation from three aspects of meridian sinew nature, disease location and functions. On this basis, the clinical practice of resolving the knot of meridian sinew method is enriched, the application connotation of “the needling times and intense based on the effect, taking the pain point as the acupoints” is improved, and the treatment thinking of sinew Zang-Fu diseases is expanded from the perspective of “meridian sinew-Qi and blood-Zang-Fu organs”, so as to provide new ideas for the clinical research of meridian tendon theory.
To explore the mechanism by which Tusizi (Cuscuta chinensis) flavonoids (CCF) improves the reproductive toxicity of Leigongtong (Tripterygium wilfordii) glycosides (GTW) in the male rats using Tandem Mass Tags (TMT) quantitative proteomics and bioinformatics methods.
Twenty-one male SD rats were randomly divided into a control group, a GTW model group and a CCF treatment group, and were orally administered with the corresponding drugs for 12 consecutive weeks. After the experiment, hematoxylin eosin staining was performed to evaluate the improvement effect of CCF on GTW-induced reproductive toxicity. TMT quantitative proteomics technology was used to evaluate proteins extracted from testicular tissue, analyzing differentially expressed proteins through bioinformatics methods and verifying key differentially expressed proteins screened by proteomics through western blot.
CCF can significantly improving the pathological damage of the testicular tissues of the rats. After intervention, a total of 29 differentially expressed proteins were detected, including 6 up-regulated proteins and 23 down-regulated proteins. KEGG pathway analysis showed that African trypanosomiasis, complement coagulation cascade system, biosynthesis of amphotericin, histidine metabolism and vitamin digestion and absorption were the main pathways by which CCF improved the reproductive toxicity of GTW. GO analysis showed that the differentially expressed proteins in CCF improving GTW reproductive toxicity were mainly related to collagen, plasma lipoprotein, protein oxidation, intrinsic coagulation pathways and heparin binding. COG annotation analysis showed that defense mechanisms, extracellular structures and the mechanisms by which CCF improved GTW reproductive toxicity were closely related. Dodder seed flavonoids can up-regulate the expressions of Apoa1and Tktl2, and down-regulate the expressions of Hba1, Aldh3a1, Pzp and Serpind1.
CCF can alleviate the testicular toxicity of GTW by regulating collagen synthesis, lipid metabolism, cell apoptosis and oxidative stress mediated by African trypanosomiasis, complement and coagulation cascade system, biosynthesis of ansamycins, histidine metabolism, vitamin digestion and absorption pathway.
Based on Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway and gut microbiota, the mechanism of different doses of Xianglian Pills (香连丸) on Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis (HPAG) rats with damp-heat in spleen-stomach syndrome was explored.
Sixty SPF healthy male Wistar rats were fed adaptively for one week and divided into blank group (10 rats) and intervention group (50 rats) by random number table method. The intervention group utilized a multi-factor modeling approach to construct a rat model of HPAG with damp-heat in spleen-stomach syndrome. After successful modeling, the intervention group was further divided into model group, Xianglian Pills low-dose group (0.54 g·kg-1), Xianglian Pills medium-dose group (1.08 g·kg-1), Xianglian Pills high-dose group (2.16 g·kg-1) and western medicine group, with 10 rats in each group. Blank group and model group were given the equal volume of distilled water for 21 consecutive days. During the observation period, the body weight of the rats was measured weekly. After the administration, the fresh feces of the rats were collected and 16S rRNA sequencing technology was used to investigate the differences and changes in gut microbiota among the groups. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was employed to examine the histopathological changes of gastric mucosa in the rats. Giemsa staining was used to detect Helicobacter pylori in gastric mucosa of the rats. The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the rats were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blot was performed to determine the protein levels of TLR5, TNF receptor-related factor 6 (TRAF6), transforming growth factor β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), nuclear factor κB inhibitor kinase α(IKKα), NF-κB, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), NF-κB p50 protein and NF-κB p65 protein in the rats.
Compared with those in the blank group, the average body weight of the rats in the model group decreased significantly (P<0.01), and the symptoms of damp-heat in spleen-stomach syndrome were obvious (P<0.01). The gastric mucosal epithelial cells exhibited disordered arrangement, with partial gastric glands showing atrophy or atypia. A large number of inflammatory cells were infiltrated the submucosa. Additionally, a significant number of curved or short rod-shaped, purple-blue clusters of Helicobacter pylori were visible. The serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly increased (P<0.01). The protein expression levels of TLR5, TRAF6, TAK1, IKKα, NF-κB, MyD88, NF-κB p50 protein and NF-κB p65 protein were elevated (P<0.05). Furthermore, the gut microbiota dysbiosis was observed (P<0.05). Compared with those of the model group, the average body weight and damp-heat syndrome of the low, medium and high groups of Xianglian Pills were improved (P<0.05). The gastric mucosal epithelial cells were arranged in a relatively orderly way, with reduced glandular atrophy and atypia, as well as a significant decrease in inflammatory cell infiltration in the submucosa. The serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly down-regulated (P<0.01). The protein expression levels of TLR5, TRAF6, TAK1, IKKα, NF-κB, MyD88, NF-κB p50 protein and NF-κB p65 protein were reduced (P<0.05). Additionally, the abundance of beneficial gut bacteria increased (P<0.05).
-Xianglian Pills can significantly improve gastric mucosal injury in HPAG rats with damp-heat in spleen-stomach syndrome, and its specific mechanism may be related to the regulation of TLR5/NF-κB signaling pathway and gut microbiota.
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the common microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus (DM), and also one of the main causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine has played an important role in the treatment and prevention of DKD. Based on the theory of “treating Qi first for treating water”, the author explored the main mechanism of the holy medicine Huangqi (Astragali Radix) and its active ingre-dients in the treatment of DKD. Studies have shown that Huangqi (Astragali Radix) and its active ingredients, such as total Astragalus flavones (TFA), calycosin, Astragaloside Ⅳ (AS-Ⅳ) and Astragalus polysaccharide (APS), can be prevented by improving insulin resistance, inhibiting oxidative stress, anti-inflammation, delaying renal fibrosis, anti-apoptosis, inhibiting iron death, regulating autophagy, regulating intestinal flora and so on to treat DKD, in order to provide new drug ideas and methods for TCM treatment of DKD.
Fuling (Poria) is a commonly used urination-promoting and dampness-eliminating drug in clinical practice. The compatibility and use of Fuling (Poria) and its drug pairs in clinical practice have a profound historical origin. This article focused on the pharmacological effects of Fuling (Poria) and the network pharmacology of drug pairs such as Fuling (Poria) and Dangshen (Codonopsis Radix), Fuling (Poria) and Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma), Fuling (Poria) and Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Fuling (Poria) and Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma), Fuling (Poria) and Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus). It also reviewed the clinical applications and modern experimental studies of commonly used drug pairs such as Fuling (Poria) and Dangshen (Codonopsis Radix), Fuling (Poria) and Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma) and Fuling (Poria) and Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) in CNKI. It systematically summarized and expounded the connotations of Fuling (Poria) and its drug pairs. At the same time, it provided a scientific reference basis for the compatibility application related to Fuling (Poria). By systematically summarizing the modern research status and progress of the compatibility of Fuling (Poria), it provided an important basis and method for the research of its compatibility theory as well as new references and ideas for clinical applications and drug research and development.
Huanglian Wendan Decoction (黄连温胆汤) is derived from LU Tingzhen's Six Causes of Differentiation. It has the effect of clearing heat and drying dampness, regulating Qi and eliminating phlegm, and is often used in the treatment of phlegm heat syndrome. Huanglian Wendan Decoction is widely used in clinical practice, and can be used in diseases of nervous system, digestive system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, endocrine system, urinary system and pediatrics. In terms of basic research, its mechanism of action is related to inhibiting inflammation, regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, improving insulin resistance, regulating neurotransmitters, regulating intestinal flora, anti-oxidative stress, protecting vascular endothelial cells and growth factors, anti-atherosclerosis, protecting liver and kidney tissue, inhibiting apoptosis, etc. By summarizing relevant literatures in recent years, this paper summarized the clinical application and mechanism of Huanglian Wendan Decoction, in order to provide a basis for the further application of Huanglian Wendan Decoction and promote the in-depth exploration and discussion of Huanglian Wendan Decoction.
Kaixin Powder (开心散) is simple in composition and has great efficacy, which is mainly used to treat emotional and cognitive disorders. Thoroughly analyzing the essence of the composition of Kaixin Powder is beneficial for the “inheritance” and “innovation” of classic traditional Chinese medicine formulas. In addition to being commonly used to treat Alzheimer's disease and depression, Kaixin Powder is also used to treat disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism, including coronary heart disease and angina pectoris. Kaixin Powder revolves around the basic pathogenesis of “spleen dampness and kidney dryness”, using a combination of sweet, bitter and spicy ingredients, which is in line with the basic theory of traditional Chinese medicine, as well as the core pathogenesis of disorders in glucose and lipid metabolism and related diseases such as “spleen dysfunction, kidney Qi deficiency, and phlegm dampness”. The research on the intervention of Kaixin Powder and its components in glucose and lipid metabolism disorders mainly focuses on intervening in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, regulating gut microbiota, anti chronic inflammation and antioxidant stress. This article can provide reference and inspiration for Kaixin Powder and its components to intervene in glucose and lipid metabolism disorders and expand their clinical applications.
Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), a traditional Chinese medicine for warming and resolving cold phlegm, it and its drug pairs can be used in the treatment of various clinical diseases. This article focuses on summarizing the pharmacological effects of Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) and the network pharmacology of its drug pairs, including Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) and the exteri-or-releasing drugs-[Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba), Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix)], Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) and dampness-removing drugs [Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex), Huoxiang (Pogostemonis Herba), Fuling (Poria)], Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) and phlegm-resolving drugs [Tiannanxing (Arisaematis Rhizoma), Juhong (Citri Exocarpium Rubrum), Kunbu (Laminariae Thallus Eckloniae Thallus)], Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) and heat-clearing drugs [Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Xiakucao (Prunellae Spica)], and Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) and Qi-moving and blood-activating drugs [Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma)] as well as the modern experimental research on commonly used drug pairs such as Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) and Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) and Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) and Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) and Yiyiren (Coicis Semen) and Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) and Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma). Through a review of the research progress on the pharmacological effects of Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), the network pharmacology of its drug pairs, and their clinical applications, this article deeply explores the rationality of the combination of Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) drug pairs, aiming to lay a theoretical foundation for the mechanism of action of Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) and its drug pairs, and provide references and thoughts for further research on the combination rules of Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) drug pairs, clinical application of Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) and new drug development.
Wuwei Xiaodu Drink (五味消毒饮) is a heat-clearing agent that has the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying and dissipating sores. It is commonly used in clinical practice to treat various diseases such as acne, acute mastitis, cellulitis, acute urinary tract infections, cholecystitis, pneumonia and so on. Based on the summary of the research progress on the chemical composition, pharmacological effects and clinical applications of Wuwei Xiaodu Drink, the quality markers (Q-Markers) of Wuwei Xiaodu Drink was predicted and analyzed according to the “five principles” of traditional Chinese medicine Q-Markers. The results showed that chlorogenic acid, esculetin, chicoric acid, caffeic acid, linarin, quercetin, 6,7-dihydroxycoumarin, kaempferide, griffonilide, lithospermoside and berberine hydrochloride were used to predict and analyze its Q-Markers, providing reference for the research on the quality control of Wuwei Xiaodu Drink and related preparations.
As a common kidney-tonifying Chinese medicine, Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen) is widely used in clinic, with reproductive protection, anti-oxidation, anti-tumor and other pharmacological effects, and Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen) is often combined with Gouqizi (Lycii Fructus), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Roucongrong (Cistanches Herba) and other drugs, in the form of drug pairs of prescription compatibility, synergistically playing a stronger clinical effect. This paper focused on the pharmacological action of Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen) and the clinical application and pharmacological action of Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen) commonly used drug pairs. Combined with modern network pharmacology research, the mechanism of action was discussed and summarized, and the clinical compatibility and mechanism of action of Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen) and its drug pairs were deeply discussed, so as to provide reference for further development and utilization of Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen) and its medicine pairs.
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