Inhibitory Effects of Qushuanling Capsule (祛栓灵胶囊) on Thrombus Formation and Platelet Aggregation in Rats

Objective:To investigate the effects of Qushuanling Capsule（祛栓灵胶囊,QSLC） on thrombus formation and platelet aggregation in rats.Methods:Arteriovenous bypass,venous thrombosis,and middle cerebral artery thrombosis models were used in rats to investigate the anti-thrombotic effects of QSLC,a compound of nine Chinese herbs.The platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate（ADP）,thrombin or arachidonic acid（AA）,as well as the contents of thromboxane B₂（TXB₂） and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α（6-keto-PGF1α） in rat plasma and aortic walls,were determined to investigate the possible mechanisms of the anti-thrombotic effects of QSLC.Results:After oral administration with QSLC for 7 days,arteriovenous bypass thrombosis was obviously suppressed compared with the model group,venous thrombosis was also obviously suppressed,rat behaviors were obviously improved,and brain infarct size as well as water content were also reduced.The platelet aggregation induced by ADP or thrombin was inhibited by QSLC,but the drug had no effect on AA-induced platelet aggregation and content of TXB₂ and 6-keto-PGF1αin plasma and the aortic wall.Conclusion:These results suggest that QSLC can be used in the prevention and treatment of thrombotic diseases,and that its mechanism of action may be related to inhibition of platelet aggregation.     

Effects of Tongguan Capsule(通冠胶囊)on Post-myocardial Infarction Ventricular Remodeling and Cardiac Function in Rats

<正>Objective:To observe the effects of Tongguan Capsule(通冠胶囊,TGC) on post-myocardial infarction ventricular remodeling and heart function in rats.Methods:A rat model of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was established by coronary ligation.Experimental rats were randomized to 4 groups including three model groups(Group A:captopril 5 mg/kg·day,n=7;Group B:TGC 10 g/kg·day,n=7;and Group C:placebo, n=8),and a sham-control group(Group D:blank control,n=6).Animals were treated for 4 weeks.The cardiac function of rats was assessed at the end of the experiment based on left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) and left ventricular short axis fractional shortening(LVFS) detected by colored echocardiography;meanwhile, the condition of ventricular remodeling was observed through the levels of left ventricular mass(LVM),plasma aldosterone(ALD),myocardial angiotensinⅡ(AngⅡ) and myocardial collagen measurements.Results:At the end of the experiment,LVEF and LVFS in Group A and B were improved significantly,while those in Group C were unchanged,the LVEF in Group A,B,C,and D was 0.57±0.46,0.61±0.08,0.36±0.55 and 0.76±0.02,respectively;and their LVFS was 0.31±0.52,0.34±0.04,0.23±0.57 and 0.45±0.03,respectively.The difference was statistically significant when comparing the two indexes in Group A and B with those in Group C and D(P0.05).LVM,levels of plasma ALD and myocardial AngⅡwere lower in Group A and B than in Group C,but a comparison between Group A and B showed an insignificant difference in lowering LVM and ALD,while the lowering of AngⅡwas more significant in Group B than in Group A(754.7±18.7 pg/mL vs 952.6±17.6 pg/ mL,P0.05).Morphological examination showed that in Group A and B the swollen myocardial cells had shrunk, with regularly arranged myocardial fibers and decreased collagen proliferation,but the improvements in Group B were more significant.Conclusion:TGC could markedly improve the post-infarction ventricular remodeling and cardiac function in rats,showing that the efficacy was better than or equal to that of captopril.     

Study on the Analgesic Effect and Mechanism of Zhitong Capsule (止痛胶囊) in Adjuvant Arthritis Rats

Clinical practice has proved that traditionalChinese medicine (TCM) has a preferable effect ofrelieving pain, and has been widely used in treat ment of patients with pain symptoms. Basing uponthis, we formulated a recipe Zhitong Capsule(止痛胶囊, ZTC) consisting of multiple ingredients ofChinese medicinal herbs ( CMH). Our previousstudy(1,2) had showed that ZTC had a preferableeffect of analgesia and anti inflammation. In orderto further study its mechanism of a…     

Effects of Combined Therapy of Xuezhikang Capsule(血脂康胶囊)and Valsartan on Hypertensive Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Heart Rate Turbulence

<正>Objective:To observe the effect of combined therapy with Xuezhikang Capsule(血脂康胶囊,XZK) and Valsartan on left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH) and heart rate turbulence(HRT) in hypertensive patients. Methods:Ninety primary hypertensive patients with LVH were randomly assigned to three groups.Basic treatment,including aspirin,β-blockers,calcium antagonists,etc.were administered to all patients.Additionally, Valsartan(VS,80 mg once a day) was given to the 30 patients in the VS group.Valsartan(in the same dosage) and XZK(600 mg,twice a day) were given to the 32 patients in the Chinese medicine(CM) group,while none was given to the 28 patients in the control group.The therapeutic course lasted for 24 months.Changes in left ventricular mass index(LVMI) measured by cardiac ultrasonic indices,HRT parameters,including the original heart rate(TO) and slope coefficient(TS),systolic and diastolic blood pressures(SBP and DBP),as well as blood cholesterol level(TC) were measured before and after treatment.Results:After treatment,TO and LVMI were lowered,while TS increased in both the VS group and the CM group(P0.01),but changed insignificantly in the control group.Significant differences between the CM group and the control group were shown in terms of TO,LVMI,SBP,DBP and TS(P0.01);and between the CM group and the VS group in terms of TO,LVMI and TS(P0.01).Moreover,HRT parameters showed an evident correlation with LVMI(r=0.519-0.635,P0.01). Conclusion:Combined therapy with XZK and Valsartan can improve hypertensive LVH and HRT parameters, and lessen the damage on the autonomous nervous system.     

Effect of Xuefu Zhuyu Capsule (血府逐瘀胶囊) on Angiogenesis in Hindlimb Ischemic Rats

Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of Xuefu Zhuyu Capsule(血府逐瘀胶囊, XZC) on pro-angiogenesis in the hindlimb ischemic model rats. Methods: A total of 100 Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into a model group, a regular-dose XZC group(0.48 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) and a high-dose XZC group(0.96 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) using random number table method. The model of hindlimb ischemic rats were made through femoral artery embolization with Bletilla microsphere agent. XZC were given on the first day after embolization surgery and lasted 5 days. Finally 72 models were obtained with 12 in each group for each time point. The lower ischemic limb was amputated on the third day after embolization surgery. Histopathological characters and the number of blood vessels of granulation tissues were observed at 36 and 48 h after amputation, respectively. The main genes were obtained from microarray analysis and were validated using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: The vascular number of granulation tissues at both 36 and 48 h were characterized by new and fresh vessels. The number of angiogenesis in the high-dose XZC group at 36 and 48 h was greater compared with that in the regular-dose XZC and model groups(P0.01), and high-dose XZC at 36 h increased more vessels than that at 48 h(P0.01). Consequently, granulation tissues from the high-dose XZC group at 36 h were chosen for microarray analysis. In all, 2,085 differentially expressed genes(DEGs) were detected and 25 DEGs were determined to be directly related to angiogenesis. Four biological process terms were found including angiogenesis, regulation of angiogenesis, positive regulation of angiogenesis, and positive regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor signaling pathway(P0.05). Microarray analysis also showed 49 pathways including 11 pathways related to angiogenesis. Conclusion: XZC promoted angiogenesis moderately and the mechanism involved multiple DEGs and multiple pathways.     

Effect of Jinmaitong (筋脉通) serum on the proliferation of rat Schwann cells cultured in high glucose medium

Objective:To investigate the effect of Jinmaitong(筋脉通,JMT)serum on the proliferation of rat Schwann cells(SCs)primarily cultured in high glucose medium.Method:SOs were primarily cultured in Dulbecco's minmum essential medium(DMEM control),50 mmol/L glucose medium(50 mmol/L Glu),75 mmol/L glucose medium(75 mmol/L Glu),as well as 50 mmol/L glucose medium,with different concentrations of JMT serum(undiluted,1:2 diluted and 1:8 diluted)and Neurotropin(Ntp), respectively.The proliferation of SCs under different conditions was detected by MTT.Result:SCs grew exuberantly in DMEM within 24-72 h,but slowed down at 96 h.The proliferation of SCs was inhibited in 50 mmol/L Glu and 75 mmol/L Glu after cultures of 48,72 and 96 h,which showed that both were significantly different compared to the control group(P<0.01).The inhibition was more significant in 75 mmol/L Glu than in 50 mmol/L Glu(P<0.05).Spearman's rho analysis revealed that the proliferation of SCs had a negative correlation with the concentration of glucose(r=-0.471,P<0.01).Excluding the time factor,partial correlation showed similar results(r=-0.679,P<0.01).After 48 h,the proliferation of SCs increased significantly in JMT1:2 and Ntp compared with 50 mmol/L Glu(control 0.437±0.019,50 mmol/ L Glu 0.367±0.035,JMT1:2 0.426±0.024,Ntp 0.422±0.013;P<0.01),and there were no statistically significant differences among the JMT groups,the Ntp group and the control group(P>0.05).Conclusions: The proliferation of SCs was inhibited in high glucose medium,and the inhibition was reduced by different concentrations of JMT serum,especially at JMT1:2.     

Clinical Observation of Kaixin Capsule (开心胶囊) in Treating Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Complicated with Abnormal Lipidemia

ＤＭｉｓａｓｅｒｉｅｓｏｆｅｎｄｏｃｒｉｎｅ ｍｅｔａｂｏｌｉｃｄｉｓｏｒ ｄｅｒｓｍａｉｎｌｙｓｈｏｗｎａｓｇｌｕｃｏｓｅｍｅｔａｂｏｌｉｃｄｉｓｔｕｒ ｂａｎｃｅｓｄｕｅｔｏａｂｓｏｌｕｔｅｌｙｏｒｒｅｌａｔｉｖｅｌｙｓｈｏｒｔａｇｅｏｆｉｎｓｕｌｉｎｓ     

The Efficacy and Safety of Jitongning Capsule (脊痛宁胶囊) in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Objective:To confirm the efficacy and safety of Jitongning Capsule(脊痛宁胶囊) in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis(AS).Methods:A total of 120 AS patients with early-intermediate were randomly and equally assigned to Jitongning Capsule group and sulfasalazine group.Jitongning Capsule was orally taken 4.5 g per day and sulfasalazine was orally taken 2 g daily for 12 months.The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving the Assessment in Ankylosing Spondylitis 20(ASAS 20),secondary end points included Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index(BASDAI),Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index(BASFI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index(BASMI),patient’s global assessment by VAS rating,spinal pain, general pain and night pain,erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR) and C-reactive protein(CRP).Tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interferon-γ(IFN-γ) and interleukin-4(IL-4) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of AS patients were measured.Results:A total of 111 patients completed the study.There were 58 patients in Jitongning group and 53 patients in sulfasalazine group.Both drugs showed mild and occasional side effects.After treated by Jitongning Capsule and sulfasalazine,the proportion of ASAS20 responders at 12 month was 72.41%(42/58) and 67.92%(36/53) respectively.Both Jitongning Capsule and sulfasalazine treatment induced significant decrease in the proportion of CD4~+T cell and CD8~+T cell expressing TNF-αand IFN-γat 12-month of treatment compared with baseline values(P<0.05).Conclusion:Jitongning Capsule are effective in a setting close to real-life medical care with a sustained improvement in signs and symptoms of AS,and reduce cytokine levels in PBMC.It showed comparable effects to sulfasalazine.     

Effects of Yizhi Capsule (益智胶囊) on Learning and Memory Disorder and β-amyloid Peptide Induced Neurotoxicity in Rats

Alzheimer sdisease(AD),adiseasethatse verelythreatenstheagedpopulation,ischaracte rizedbyprogressivelyloweringtherecognitionand memorycapabilitiesofthecentralnervoussystem(CNS).StudiesbyDiCarloA,etal(1)showedthat,inItaly,theincidencerateofdementiain1995was12.47‰,ofwhichADaccountedfor6.55‰andwasremarkablyhigherthantheincidencerateofanyotherkindofdementia.Itwasestimatedinan investigationconductedbyHebertLE,etal(2)thatfromtheyears2000through2050,thenumberofADpatientswasexpectedtobedoubled…     

Effects of Corocalm (Shuguan Capsule, 疏冠胶囊) on acute myocardial ischemia in anesthetized dogs

Objective:To investigate the effects of Corocalm (Shuguan Capsule,疏冠胶囊) on acute myocardial ischemia in anesthetized dogs and its possible therapeutic mechanism.Methods:The acute ischemia model was established by ligating the left anterior descending (LAD) artery.Twenty- five dogs were randomly divided into 5 groups (5 clogs in each group):the control group (treated with normal saline 3 mL/kg),the refined Guanxin Capsule group (精制冠心胶囊,GXC 200 mg/kg),high and low dose Corocalm groups (48.5 mg/kg for low dose group and 194.0 mg/kg for high dose group) and the Diltiazem group (5 mg/kg).The animals were treated via a single duodenal administration after the model was established.The experiments used epicardial electrocardiogram (EECG) to measure the scope and degree of myocardial ischemia.Simultaneously,the coronary blood flow (CBF) and serum activity levels of creatine phosphokinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured by electromagnetic flow meter and automatic biochemical analyzer respectively.The plasma endothelin (ET) content was quantified by radioimmunoassay.Results:Corocalm (48.5 mg/kg and 194.0 mg/kg) significantly decreased the degree and scope of myocardial ischemia,reduced the infarct area,markedly increased the CBF,and inhibited the increase of CK and LDH activities and ET levels induced by myocardial ischemia/infarction.Conclusion:Corocalm could improve the state of acute myocardial ischemia and infarction in dogs.The mechanism of action might be correlated to increasing CBF, inhibiting CK and LDH activities and preventing ET release.     

Fuzheng Huayu Capsule (扶正化瘀胶囊) in the treatment of liver fibrosis: Clinical evidence and mechanism of action

Liver fibrosis represents the wound healing response to liver injury from a wide variety of etiologies.Remarkable progresses have been shown in the field of liver fibrosis in a range of areas in the past years.In particular,the reversibility of liver fibrosis has been well documented in both patients and animal models.Great progresses have been made in the treatment of liver fibrosis with Chinese medicine.This review summarizes the effects of Fuzheng Huayu Capsule(扶正化瘀胶囊,FZHYC) in treating liver fibrosis and inflammation induced by chronic hepatitis B in clinical trials and the mechanism of action of FZHYC in reversing liver fibrosis in vivo and in vitro experiments.     

Effects on the Tumor Specific Growth Factor and Tumor Necrosis Factor α in Rats' Precancerous Lesion of Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Direct Moxibustion at Ganshu(BL 18) Acupoint

Objective: To investigate the effect of direct moxibustion at Ganshu(BL18) on the serum concentrations of tumor specific growth factor(TSGF) and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) in a rat model with precancerous lesion of primary hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), so as to explore the mechanism of moxibustion underlying improvement of HCC. Methods: Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group(n=10), model group(n=20), prevention group 1(n=15) and prevention group 2(n=15). The normal rats were injected with physiological saline as blank control. At the same time, the rats of other three groups were injected with diethylnitrosamine to establish the HCC model. Direct moxibustion with grain-sized moxa was applied to bilateral Ganshu acupoint of the rats in the prevention group 1(1 treatment course, 20 days) and prevention group 2(2 treatment courses, 40 days), 5 doses for each acupoint, 0.5 mg/dose, once every other day. At each time point(before model establishment, the end of 1st course prevention, the end of 2nd course prevention and the end of model establishment), serum levels of TSGF and TNF-α were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Compared with the control group, there was a remarkably increase of serum TSGF and TNF-α contents in the model group at the end of the experiment(P0.05). At the end of the 1st course of direct moxibustion, the contents of serum TSGF and TNF-α of rats in the prevention group 1 were significantly increased compared with that of the model group(P0.05). At the end of the 2nd course of direct moxibustion, serum TSGF and TNF-α levels of rats in the model group were higher than the normal group with significantly difference(P0.05), and the levels of TSGF and TNF-α in the prevention group 2 were significantly reduced in comparison with the model group(P0.05). Conclusion: It was possible that direct moxibustion could inhibit precancerous lesion and postpone hepatocarcinogenesis, and the therapeutic effect of two courses were better than one course.     

Effects of Zhizi Chuanxiong Capsule (栀子川芎胶囊) on Abnormal Methylation in Rabbits with Atherosclerosis

Objective: To investigate the effects of Zhizi Chuanxiong Capsule (ZCC, 栀子川芎胶囊) on abnormal DNA methylation in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis (AS). Methods: After 1 week of adaptive feeding, 48 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups: a control group (n=12) fed with normal diet for 22 weeks; a model group (n=12) fed with high fat diet for 14 weeks followed by 8 weeks of normal diet feeding; a low-dose ZCC group (n=12) fed with high fat diet and low-dose ZCC for 14 weeks, followed by 8 weeks of normal diet and low-dose drug; a high-dose ZCC group (n=12) fed with high fat diet and high-dose drug for 14 weeks, followed by 8 weeks of normal diet and high-dose drug. After 22 weeks of feeding, blood samples were taken from the rabbit ear vein, and the genomic DNA was extracted for methylation immunoprecipitation sequencing (Medip-seq). The aorta tissues were collected for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Results: Eight rabbits died during the feeding process. HE staining showed that the size of the lipid deposition on vessel wall and atherosclerotic plaque formation were reduced in both low- and high-dose group. The Medip-seq results showed that there were 146 abnormally methylated genes (including both hypermethylated gene and hypomethylated genes) in the model group, compared with the control group. Gene Ontology (GO) and Pathway analysis showed that these abnormally methylated genes were found to be involved in multiple AS-related functions and pathways, such as protein kinase C activity, cholesterol transport, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, peroxisome proliferater-activated receptor signaling pathway, vascular smooth muscle contraction, inflammation and so on. The abnormal methylated genes in AS model group were altered in both low- and high-dose groups: low-dose ZCC could change 72 of the 146 abnormally methylated genes, high-dose ZCC could change 71. Through GO and Pathway analysis, these altered methylated genes were involved in protein kinase C activity, inflammatory pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway, etc. Conclusion: ZCC could treat AS through regulating the abnormal hypermethylated and hypomethylated genes in AS rabbit model.     

Effects of Zhizi Chuanxiong Capsule (栀子川芎胶囊) on Abnormal Methylation in Rabbits with Atherosclerosis

Objective: To investigate the effects of Zhizi Chuanxiong Capsule(ZCC, 栀子川芎胶囊) on abnormal DNA methylation in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis(AS). Methods: After 1 week of adaptive feeding, 48 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups: a control group(n=12) fed with normal diet for 22 weeks; a model group(n=12) fed with high fat diet for 14 weeks followed by 8 weeks of normal diet feeding; a low-dose ZCC group(n=12) fed with high fat diet and low-dose ZCC for 14 weeks, followed by 8 weeks of normal diet and low-dose drug; a high-dose ZCC group(n=12) fed with high fat diet and high-dose drug for 14 weeks, followed by 8 weeks of normal diet and high-dose drug. After 22 weeks of feeding, blood samples were taken from the rabbit ear vein, and the genomic DNA was extracted for methylation immunoprecipitation sequencing(Medip-seq). The aorta tissues were collected for hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. Results: Eight rabbits died during the feeding process. HE staining showed that the size of the lipid deposition on vessel wall and atherosclerotic plaque formation were reduced in both low-and high-dose group. The Medip-seq results showed that there were 146 abnormally methylated genes(including both hypermethylated gene and hypomethylated genes) in the model group, compared with the control group. Gene Ontology(GO) and Pathway analysis showed that these abnormally methylated genes were found to be involved in multiple AS-related functions and pathways, such as protein kinase C activity, cholesterol transport, mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) signaling pathway, peroxisome proliferater-activated receptor signaling pathway, vascular smooth muscle contraction, inflammation and so on. The abnormal methylated genes in AS model group were altered in both low-and high-dose groups: low-dose ZCC could change 72 of the 146 abnormally methylated genes, highdose ZCC could change 71. Through GO and Pathway analysis, these altered methylated genes were involved in protein kinase C activity, inflammatory pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway, etc. Conclusion: ZCC could treat AS through regulating the abnormal hypermethylated and hypomethylated genes in AS rabbit model.     

Effects of Quyu Xiaoban Capsule(祛瘀消斑胶囊) on Vascular Endothelial Function in Patients with Atherosclerosis

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of Quyu Xiaoban Capsule (祛瘀消斑胶囊 ,QYXBC) on endothelial dependent vascular relaxation (EDVR) function in patients with atherosclerosis (AS)with ultrasonic technique. Methods: Tested were the endothelial function and blood lipids of 42 patients with AS in the treated group and 30 healthy volunteers in the control group. And re-examination of these parameters was carried out on the AS patients after they had been treated with QYXBC for 10 months. Results: Before treatment, the reactive hyperemia induced changes in artery diameter in the treated group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P＜0.01), while insignificant difference was found between the two groups in response to nitroglycerin. In the treated group after treatment, with D%-R improved significantly (P＜0.01), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)decreased by 16.3%, 5.6%, 10.2% respectively and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased by 7.5%. EDVR was correlated negatively with the serum TC, LDL-C concentrations and the baseline brachial diameter (D0) (r = -0.41, -0.66, -0.59, respectively, all P＜0.01), but correlated positively with HDL-C (r = 0.62, P＜0.05). The ameliorative extent of EDVR was correlated positively to the decreased magnitude of TC and LDL-C concentrations ( r = 0.67,0.59, both P＜0.01 ). Conclusion: QYXBC can lower the level of blood lipids and improve significantly EDVR function.     

Effect of Feitai Capsule(肺泰胶囊) on Quality of Life and Progression-Free Survival of Patients with Unresectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

<正>Objective:To examine the effect of a Chinese medicinal herbal formula(Feitai Capsule,肺泰胶囊) on the quality of life(QOL) and progression-free survival(PFS) of patients with unresectable non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods:Sixty-two patients were randomly divided into the treatment group(31 cases) and the control group(31 cases).For the treatment group,4 capsules(1.2 g/capsule) of Feitai Capsule were administered 3 times a day after meals for 3 weeks;then no drug was administered for 1 week.This schedule was continued for at least 3 more cycles(12 weeks totally).If there were no obvious toxic reactions,the treatment was extended.The patients were evaluated at least once every 8 weeks until progressive disease(PD). For the control group,the regular follow-up and evaluation were performed at least once every 8 weeks until PD.Clinical symptoms,objective response,physical constitution and energy,QOL,and PFS were evaluated regularly.Analysis of variance(ANOVA),a non-parametric test,and analysis of covariance were used to compare clinical features,amelioration of clinical symptoms,physical constitution and energy,and QOL.Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare the two-group PFS.Results:Sixty patients finished the final evaluation, with 30 patients in each group.Baseline characters between groups were not significantly different(P0.05). The control group had a 36.7%improvement in clinical symptoms,while the treatment group had a 73.3% improvement.This difference was statistically significant(Z=-2.632,P=0.008).The control group had a 26.7% improvement in the Karnofsky performance status(KPS),while the treatment group had a 53.4%improvement. This was also significantly different(Z=-2.182,P=0.029).A comparative analysis indicated a positive correlation (r=0.917,P0.001).Compared with the control group,QOL in the treatment group was significantly improved, except in the social/family condition and doctor-patient relationship indicators.The PFS of the treatment group and control group were 6.23 months and 4.67 months,respectively(P=0.048).Conclusion:Feitai Capsule,a Chinese medicinal herbal treatment could improve the QOL and extend the PFS of the unresectable NSCLC patients.     

Effects of Curcumin on Pain Threshold and on the Expression of Nuclear Factor κB and CX3C Receptor 1 after Sciatic Nerve Chronic Constrictive Injury in Rats

Objective：To investigate the effects of curcumin on pain threshold and the expressions of nuclear factorκB（NF-κB）and CX3C chemokine receptor 1（CX3CR1）in spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion（DRG）of the rats with sciatic nerve chronic constrictive injury.Methods：One hundred and twenty male Sprague Dawley rats,weighing 220-250 g,were randomly divided into 4 groups.Sham surgery（sham）group：the sciatic nerves of rats were only made apart but not ligated;chronic constrictive injury（CCI）group：the sciatic nerves of rats were only ligated without any drug treatment;curcumin treated injury（Cur）model group：the rats were administrated with curcumin 100 mg/（kg·d）by intraperitoneal injection for 14 days after CCI;solvent control（SC）group：the rats were administrated with the solvent at the same dose for 14 days after CCI.Thermal withdrawal latency（TWL）and mechanical withdrawal threshold（MWT）of rats were respectively measured on pre-operative day 2 and postoperative day 1,3,5,7,10 and 14.The lumbar segment L4-5 of the spinal cord and the L4,L5 DRG was removed at post-operative day 3,7 and 14.The change of nuclear factorκB（NF-κB）p65 expression was detected by Western blotting while the expression of CX3CR1 was determined by immunohistochemical staining.Results：Compared with the sham group,the TWL and MWT of rats in the CCI group were significantly decreased on each post-operative day（P〈0.01）,which reached a nadir on the 3rd day after CCI,and the expressions of NF-κB p65and CX3CR1 were markedly increased in spinal cord dorsal horn and DRG.In the Cur group,the TWL of rats were significantly increased than those in the CCI group on post-operative day 7,10 and 14（P〈0.05）and MWT increased than those in the CCI group on post-operative day 10 and 14（P〈0.05）.In addition,the administration of curcumin significantly decreased the positive expressions of NF-κB p65 and CX3CR1 in spinal cord and DRG（P〈0.05）.Conclusion：Our study suggests that curcumin cou     

Protective Effects of Xiongshao Capsule (芎芍胶囊) on Anti-inflammatory Function of High-Density Lipoprotein in An Atherosclerosis Rabbit Model

Objective: To observe the effects of Xiongshao Capsule(芎芍胶囊, XSC) on anti-inflammatory properties of high-density lipoprotein(HDL), myeloperoxidase(MPO) and paraoxonase 1(PON1) in serum of atherosclerosis(AS) rabbit model and explore the anti-inflammatory protective effects of XSC on HDL. Methods: Sixty rabbits were randomized into the control, the model, XSC low-, medium-and high-dose(Rhizoma Chuanxiong + Radix Paeoniae rubra : 0.6+0.3, 1.2+0.6, 2.4+1.2 g·kg-1·day-1, respectively), and simvastatin(1 g·kg-1·day-1) groups. The model rabbits were fed with high-fat diet and respective drugs for 15 weeks. The blood and thoracic aortas samples were collected at the end of 15 weeks. The levels of serum MPO and PON1 as well as total cholesterol(TC) and free cholesterol(FC) in aorta wall cells were tested by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results: TC and FC in the model group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P0.01). Compared with the model group, TC and FC in the XSC groups were significantly lower(P0.05 or P0.01), so was simvastatin group(P0.01). There was no significant difference in PON1 level between groups(P0.05), even between model and control groups(P0.05). The serum MPO level in the model group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P0.05), which was significantly lower in XSC groups as well as simvastatin group(P0.05 or P0.01), and no difference was found between XSC groups and simvastatin group(P0.05). Conclusions: XSC can reduce the serum MPO level in AS rabbits to protect the anti-inflammatory function of HDL, maintaining the normal lipid transport function. TC and FC levels in aorta cells decline, and this process initiated by XSC plays an anti-AS role.     

Effect of Kaiyu Qingwei Granule (开郁清胃颗粒) on Insulin Receptor in Liver and Skeletal Muscular Cell Membrane in Diabetes Mellitus Rats

Objective: To investigate the effect of Kaiyu Qingwei granule (KYQWG, on the insulin binding capacity of liver and skeletal muscular cell membrane and serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Rats in four experimental groups were investigated: the control group, the model group, the KYQWG group and the Metformin group. The insulin binding rate (IBR) of liver and skeletal muscular cell membrane was detected by receptor-ligand ra-diometric method and changes of serum levels of glucose, insulin and IGF-1 were observed before and after 4 weeks of medication. Results: The KYQWG group had a lower blood glucose level and ffiR of liver and muscular cell membrane, as compared with those in the model group (P<0. 01 or P<0.05), and a higher level of IGF-1 than that in the model group(P<0.01), but had no obvious changes in the serum level of insulin. Conclusion: KYQWG may increase the serum level of IGF-1 in diabetic rats, thus to decrease the insulin resistance a