Both historically and contemporarily, cancer is seen as an inflammatory process. Evidence has emerged in the last two decades that at the molecular level most chronic diseases, including cancer, are caused by a dysregulated inflammatory response. The identification of transcription factors such as nuclear factor-kappa B and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and their gene products such as tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1, interleukin-6, chemokines, cyclooxygenase-2, and vascular endothelial growth factor, adhesion molecules and others has provided the molecular basis for the role of inflammation in cancer. Tumor initiation, its progression and metastasis and the failure of immune suppression of tumors all can be attributed in part to chronic and systemic inflammation. Chinese herbs have a long history in both treatment of cancer and suppres?sion of inflammation. This paper looks at recent research on cancer and inflammation and Chinese herbs and compounds, which can be used in the treatment of cancer.

Clinical and experimental studies show that the onset of effect of acupuncture on depression is more rapid than selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, a class of antidepressants. Acupuncture treatment is characterized by controlling anxiety and gastrointestinal discomfort. The onset time of acupuncture treatment for various pains is a week or so, which is the same as the rapid onset time of antidepressant effect of acupuncture, and the main pathway of acupuncture analgesia is through endogenous opioid system. Opioid peptides can produce pleasure, and decrease anxiety and gastrointestinal discomfort, so opioid peptides are considered to have antidepressant effect. Accordingly, the main pathway of acupuncture analgesia — the endogenous opioid system, is considered a mechanism for rapid onset of acupuncture effects on depression.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) usually views polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) as a menstrual disease or infertility disease. Reproductive dysfunction in PCOS is characterized by ovarian androgen excess and disturbance of follicular development, and its main clinical manifestations include delayed menstruation, scant menstruation, amenorrhea or infertility. Insulin resistance is a key pathological mechanism of PCOS. “Tiangui”(kidney essence) as a sex-stimulating essence in female in TCM theory, is essential to the menstruation and pregnancy of women. The disturbance of Tiangui (including time, status and rhythm) would result in female reproductive problems. Current studies of Tiangui indicate that ovary is the target organ of PCOS treatment, and its functional characteristics are consistent with the properties of Tiangui in time frame, state form and rhythm cycle. It is then concluded that ovarian dysfunction in PCOS can be expressed as disorder of Tiangui.

Objective

To explore the relationships between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitutional types and overweight or obesity so as to provide evidence for adjusting constitutional bias and preventing and treating obesity.

Methods

The data comes from a cross-sectional survey on TCM constitution of 18 805 samples aged above 18 in Beijing and 8 provinces (Jiangsu, Anhui, Gansu, Qinghai, Fujian, Jilin, Jiangxi and Henan) in China. The survey of TCM constitution was performed by standardized constitution in Chinese medicine questionnaire (CCMQ). Discriminatory analysis method was used to judge the individual’s constitutional type (gentleness type, qi-deficiency type, yang-deficiency type, yin-deficiency type, phlegm-dampness type, dampness-heat type, blood-stasis type, qi-depression type and special diathesis type). The relationships between TCM constitution types and overweight or obesity was investigated by logistic regression analysis.

Results

Compared with gentleness type, the risk of overweight (OR, 2. 05; 95% Cl, 1. 79 — 2. 35) and obesity (OR, 4.34; 95% Cl, 3.52 — 5.36) in phlegm-dampness type is significantly increased; the risk of obesity (OR, 1.60; 95% Cl, 1.30 — 1.98) in qi-deficiency type is significantly higher; the risk of overweight and obesity in yang-deficiency type, blood-stasis type, and qi-depression type is significantly lower.

Conclusion

hlegm-dampness type and qi-deficiency type are the main constitutional risk factors of overweight or obesity.

Objective

To establish a method based on a pseudotyped virus assay for screening drugs for anti-H5N1 avian influenza virus, and then to evaluate anti-virus activity of traditional Chinese herbal compounds with the function of purgation, detoxification, cooling the blood and reinforcing the healthy qi based on seropharmacology.

Methods

Pseudotyped viruses expressing H5N1 virus hemagglutinin were constructed. Herb-medicated sera were prepared by feeding Wistar rats traditional Chinese herbal compounds. Then inhibitory effects of different drug-medicated sera against pseudotyped virus were evaluated based on incubating serum with pseudotyped viruses or target cells such as Madin-Darby canine kidney cells and human embryonic kidney cell line 293T cells, and the expression of hemagglutinin (HA) protein was detected by flow cytometry.

Results

Pseudotyped virus could be neutralized by specific 2B4 monoclonal antibody at doses of 50 μL (500 μg), 25 μL (250 μg) and 12.5 μL (125 μg), which showed that it was a feasible assay to screen drugs. No significant difference was observed in inhibition against H5N1 pseudotyped virus between herb-medicated sera and control serum (P>0.05), meanwhile, the herb-medicated sera also could not inhibit HA expression.

Conclusion

Pseudotyped virus assay is a safe, effective, and exact method for screening anti-H5N1 avian influenza virus herbs, and herb-medicated sera prepared by administration of herbs with the function of purgation, detoxification, cooling the blood and reinforcing the healthy qi do not contain active ingredient or monomer which can inhibit HA and sialic acid-α 2,3-galatose.

Objective

To investigate collagen protein expressions in ischemic myocardium of rats with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and the effects of qi-tonifying, yin-tonifying and blood-activating herbs and detoxifying and blood-activating herbs.

Methods

AMI model of Wistar rat was established by ligating left anterior descending coronary artery. The model rats were randomly divided into untreated group, perindopril group (0. 36 mg/kg), Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue (YQYYHX) group (Shengmai Capsule 0. 24 g/kg and Compound Chuanxiong Capsule 0. 40 g/kg), and Jiedu Huoxue (JDHX) group (Compound Chuanxiong Capsule 0.40 g/kg and berberine 0.16 g/kg), with 10 rats in each group. The latter three groups were treated with corresponding drugs by gastric gavage once a day for 4 weeks after modeling. Sham-operated (puncture without ligation) group and normal control group with 10 rats in each group were given normal saline by gastric gavage. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was measured, and pathologic changes in myocardium were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining 4 weeks later. Contents of procollagen type IE and collagen type F in serum were measured by radioimmunoassay, and expressions of collagen types I and IE in ischemic myocardium were measured by immunohistochemical methods.

Results

Compared with rats in the sham-operated group, weight of left ventricle and LVMI of rats in the model group increased significantly; content of procollagen type n in serum increased; contents of collagen types I and IE in ischemic myocardium increased significantly (P < 0. 01). Compared with rats in the untreated group, LVMI and content of procollagen type IE in serum of rats treated with herbs decreased significantly, and expressions of collagen types I and IE in ischemic myocardium were inhibited (P<0.05, P<0.01). The effect of detoxifying and blood-activating herbs on collagen type IE in ischemic myocardium is better than perindopril.

Conclusion

Both qi-tonifying, yin-tonifying and blood-activating herbs and detoxifying and blood-activating herbs have beneficial effects on rats with AMI in decreasing LVMI and procollagen type HI content, and inhibiting expressions of collagen types I and IE in ischemic myocardium, thus protecting ischemic myocardium after AMI. It may explain the machanism of Chinese herbal medicine inhibiting ventricular remodeling after AMI.

Objective

Cell senescence is an important anti-cancer mechanism and may contribute to cancer therapeutic outcome. The present study observed the effects of Tenglong Buzhong Decoction (TLBZD), a Chinese herbal formula, on senescence in human colon carcinoma LS-174-T cells.

Methods

LS-174-T cells were treated with TLBZD, and morphology change was observed under a microscope. Cell senescence was identified by senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining, and cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. Expressions of p53, p21 ^WAF1/CIP1, p16 and RB and RB phosphorylation were detected by Western blot.

Results

After being treated with TLBZD, LS-174-T cells became enlarged and flattened by morphology; SA-β-gal staining was positive and cell cycle was arrested in G₀/G₁. In addition, up-regulations of p21 ^WAF1/CIP1 and p16, as well as inhibition of RB phosphorylation were detected in response to TLBZD treatment. Expressions of p53 and RB were unchanged after TLBZD treatment.

Conclusion

TLBZD is effective in inducing cell senescence in human colon carcinoma LS-174-T cells, which may relate to up-regulations of p21 ^WAF1/CIP1 and p16 and inhibition of RB phosphorylation.

Objective

To evaluate the effects of Bushen Gubiao Recipe (BGR), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway and CD4 ⁺CD25 ⁺foxp3 ⁺regulatory T cells (CD4 ⁺CD25 ⁺foxp3 ⁺Tregs) in mice with recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs).

Methods

A mouse model of kidney-yang deficiency which simulated physical characteristics of RRTIs was established by intraperitoneal injection of hydrocortisone for 14 d. The model mice were divided into 4 groups, model group, high-dose BGR group, low-dose BGR group, and nucleic acid and casein oral solution group. They were administered respectively with distilled water, high-dose BGR (50 g/kg body weight), low-dose BGR (25 g/kg body weight) and nucleic acid and casein oral solution. Besides, a normal control group was set up and gastrogavaged with distilled water. The effect of intervention was evaluated 4 weeks later by estimating the changes in behaviors of mice. Expressions of TLR4 and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 in lung tissue were detected by immunohistochemical SABC method, the expression of TLR4 mRNA in lung tissue was detected by fluorescence quantitative-polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR), and the level of blood CD4 ⁺CD25 ⁺foxp3 ⁺ Tregs was determined by flow cytometry.

Results

A kidney-yang deficiency mouse model with RRTIs was successfully established by intraperitoneal injection of hydrocortisone. BGR could improve the abnormal behavioral condition of the mice and enhance the expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 in the lung tissue. Expression of TLR4 mRNA in high-dose BGR group was higher than that in model group (P<0.05), while the difference was not statistically significant between high-dose BGR group and low-dose BGR group (P>0.05). Levels of CD4 ⁺CD25 ⁺foxp3 ⁺Tregs in high-dose BGR group and nucleic acid and casein oral solution group were lower than that in model group (P<0.05), while the difference was not statistically significant between high-dose BGR group and low-dose BGR group (P>0.05).

Conclusion

BGR can improve the behavior of the kidney-yang deficiency mice, and improve the innate immune function by up-regulating TLR/NF-κB signaling pathway. BGR can adjust the immune imbalance of T-helper cell (Th) 1/Th2 through reducing the activity of CD4 ⁺ CD25 ⁺foxp3 ⁺Tregs and enhancing the immune response of Th1 type.

Objective

In order to reveal the treatment mechanism of Chinese medicine with the effect of activating blood and resolving putridity, we selected acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO), the main monomeric components of frankincense and arsenolite which are two most commonly used Chinese medicine with effect of activating blood and resolving putridity. We combined AKBA and ATO as a compound, and explored its regulatory role in productions and activities of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in human skin fibroblasts (HSFbs) and human acute monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 in inflammatory state.

Methods

In order to simulate the inflammatory micro-environment of chronic wounds, we established 3 cell models: HSFb model activated by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), THP-1 cell model activated by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) and HSFb-THP-1 cell coculture system. AKBA and ATO were cocultured with these cell models. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), gelatin zymography assay and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to test the secretions, activities and mRNA expressions of MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9. In the study of the regulatory mechanism of AKBA and ATO on MMPs, AKBA and ATO were cocultured with the cell models. ELISA was used to test the secretions of TNF-α and interleukin-1beta (IL-β) and Western blot was used to test the phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and p38 mitogen-activated proteinkinase (p38MAPK).

Results

Compound of AKBA and ATO inhibited MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA expressions, secretions and activities respectively in HSFbs and THP-1 cells in inflammatory state (P<0.05, P<0.01). Also compound of AKBA and ATO inhibited secretions of TNF-α and IL-1β in THP-1 cells and cell coculture system (P<0.01). It also decreased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK in HSFbs and THP-1 cells (P<0.05, P<0.01).

Conclusion

The combined use of AKBA and ATO which in line with the rule of activating blood and resolving putridity inhibits fibroblasts and inflammatory cells in producing MMPs in inflammatory state through inhibiting the release of inflammatory factors and MAPK cascade pathway.

Objective

To explore the effects of Shenmai Injection (SMI), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on pharmacokinetics and serum concentration of digoxin when applied together with digoxin.

Methods

Twenty dogs with heart failure were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group and low-, medium- and high-dose SMI groups, with 5 dogs in each group. After intravenous injection of digoxin injection at a dose of 7.41 μg/kg, dogs in the control group were administered intravenously with normal saline 20 mL daily for 5 d, and the other groups were intravenously administered with SMI at the doses of 0.517, 1.034 and 1.551 mL/kg respectively. After the administration, the blood was collected at designed time points. Serum concentration of digoxin was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS).

Results

he low-, medium- and high-dose SMI showed different effects on the pharmacokinetics of digoxin: the low-, medium- and high-dose SMI revealed a tendency to decrease the elimination half-life (T_1/2β) of digoxin. The low-dose SMI showed a tendency to decrease the digoxin concentration. Serum clearance (CL) in the low-dose SMI group was higher than that in the control, and also significantly higher than those in the medium- and high-dose SMI groups (P<0.05). The area under concentration-time curve (AUC_0→∞) in the low-dose SMI group was lower than that in the control group (P=0.05); the AUC_{0→72 h} and AUC_0→∞ in the low-dose SMI group were significantly lower than those in the medium- and high-dose SMI groups. Low-dose SMI accelerated the clearance of digoxin in blood.

Conclusion

Low-, medium- and high-dose SMI shows different effects on pharmacokinetics of digoxin and reveals a tendency to shorten T_1/2β of digoxin. Low-dose SMI can accelerate the clearance of digoxin in blood.

Objective

To investigate the effects of Xiaoyao Powder, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine for treatment of depression, on monoamine neurotransmitters in hippocampus of rats with postpartum depression (PPD).

Methods

Ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, untreated group, fluoxetine hydrochloride group and Xiaoyao Powder group. Except for the control group, the rats in the other 3 groups were injected subcutaneously with estrogen for 23 successive days to induce the “pregnancy” state. In the next 30 successive days, rats were given test drugs respectively and the concentrations of noradrenaline (NE), dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in hippocampus were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

PPD was induced in rats of untreated group, and compared with rats of control group, the concentrations of NE, DA and 5-HT in the hippocampus significantly reduced (P<0.01), while the concentration of 5-HIAA significantly increased (P<0.01). Xiaoyao Powder treatment significantly improved the behavior indexes and levels of monoamine neurotransmitters in hippocampus (P<0.01). Xiaoyao Powder and fluoxetine hydrochloride produced similar effects in rats with PPD.

Conclusion

Xiaoyao Powder produces an antidepression effect in rats by regulating the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters in hippocampus.

Objective

The primary aim of this research is to systematically sort out and analyze available clinical documents for chronic congestive heart failure in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine, and to explore the diagnosis and treatment rule of TCM syndrome factors with data mining method.

Methods

Based on the China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI) and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), using “chronic heart failure” or “chronic congestive heart failure” or “chronic cardiac insufficiency” and “traditional Chinese medicine” or “syndrome” or “integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine” as keywords for literature selection, we used Shannon entropy nonlinear complex system method for the feature extraction after data preprocessing.

Results

The statistics showed that yang deficiency, qi deficiency, blood stasis, water retention, yin deficiency, and turbid phlegm were principal TCM syndrome factors; herbs of qi-tonifying, blood-activating, water-draining, phlegm-dispelling, exterior-releasing, interior-warming were main drugs for clinical application. The symptoms and Chinese herbs which intimately connect with TCM syndrome factors were extracted, while their diagnostic contribution degrees were quantified by correlation coefficient. The symptoms which had high scores were general syndromes while the symptoms which had low scores were specific manifestations of a certain patient. Common Chinese herbs corresponding to each syndrome factor were picked out, indirectly reflecting their frequencies in clinical application.

Conclusion

Based on data mining of the relationship among the four diagnostic methods of TCM, syndrome factors and herbs, this study provided references for differentiation of TCM syndrome and selection of Chinese medicine according to clinical syndrome factors.