目前对针灸治疗多囊卵巢综合征的认识：基础和临床研究

To summarize the treatment of acupuncture for polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS） in view of scientific principles and basic and clinical data. The relevant literatures have been retrieved through MEDLINE computerization. A control trial of 3 cases indicates ovulation induction of acupuncture. Basic and clinical study verifies that electro-acupuncture （EA） can regulate the disturbed endocrinal, neuroendocrinal and sympathetic nervous systems in PCOS women. It is known publicly that the high-class central activity is enhanced in human body after acupuncture and EA treatment because a series of neuropeptids are released, which is quite important in regulating central and peripheral nerve impulse of hypothalamus-pitu- itary-ovary （HPO） axis and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal （HPA） axis E2.31. EA has been applied repeatedly to the women who are diagnosed definitely as PCOS and has been found long-term therapeutic effects on neuroendocrinal parameters and ovulation induction. But, this study has not explained the mechanism of these efficacies. The basic study of laboratory evaluation on EA indicates that the regulation of EA on ovary function is relevant with the adjustment of sympathetic nervous system activity.     

EFFECT OF ACUPUNCTURE ANALGESIA ON SYNAPSFS OF NUCLEUS CENTRO—MEDIANUS OBSERVED WITH ELECTRO—MICROSCOPE

The present study was aimed at the investigation of the ultrastructuralchanges of nucleus centromedianus(CM)of nuclei intralaminares under acupuncture analge-sia.The results of the observations on 18 healthy and adult rats were as follows.1.Thesynapses of the CM belong mainly to the axodendricular synapses and also with some suc-cessive or juxtaposing synapses.2.The presynaptic sac contains a lot of round and clearvesicles,some granular vesicles also spread among clear vesicles in a few synapses.3.Theround clear synaptic vesicles of CM in the electroacupuncture analgesia(EA)group are de-creased significantly than that in the control group.It is suggested that CM plays a role inacupuncture analgesia.     

THE ROLE OF P_1-PURINERGIC RECEPTORS IN THE SPINAL MECHANISMS OF ACUPUNCTURE ANALGESIA

It has been extensively proved that electro-acupuncture elicit analgesia in bothextensive areas and local region via supraspinal structures and spinal cord.The present investigationwas to study the role of P_1-purinergic receptors in the spinal mechanisms of weak electroacupuncture-induced analgesia.Leg withdrawal latency(LWL)to noxious radiant heat focused on the ankle regionwas used to assess the effects of acupuncture and that of P_1-purinergic(adenosine)receptor antago-nists,theophylline and caffeine on the electro-acupuncture(EA)analgesia.EA prolonged the LWLby 16.7%±20.3%,with an after-effect lasting about 15 min.Both theophylline and caffeineblocked the EA-induced prolongation of LWL in a dose-dependent manner at the doses of 1.6-16 mg/kg.These results suggest that P_1-purinegic receptor is involved in the spinal mechanisms of weak EAproduced analgesia in the rat.     

INVOLVEMENT OF PERIPHERAL BETA-ENDORPHIN AND MU,DELTA, AND KAPPA OPIOID RECEPTORS IN ELECTROACUPUNCTURE ANALGESIA FOR PROLONGED INFLAMMATORY PAIN OF RATS

Objective: To investigate the involvement of peripheral opioid system in electroacupuncture(EA) analgesia for prolonged inflammatory pain.Methods: Inflammatory pain was induced by an intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant(CFA) into the right hind paw.EA(2/100 Hz, 2 mA) was applied to the ipsilateral Zusanli(ST36) and Kunlun(BL60) acupoints for 30 min once every day.Block studies on EA analgesia were performed on the 18 th day after CFA injection by using α-helical corticotrophin-releasing factor(CRF), a CRF antagonist, and naloxone methiodide, a peripherally restricted opioid receptor antagonist.Paw withdrawal latency(PWL) to a noxious thermal stimulus was measured as the pain behavioral change.Radioimmunoassay for β-endorphin(β-END), Met-ankephalin(Met-ENK), and dynorphin A(DYN A) in paw inflammatory tissue and immunohistochemistry study for μ, δ, and κ opioid receptors in dorsal root ganglion(DRG) were carried out.A subsequent validation experiment by exogenous β-END locally delivered was also performed.Results: We found that EA significantly increased the PWL of rats injected with CFA from the 4th day to 18 th day.Locallyadministered α-helical CRF or naloxone blocked EA-produced analgesia.EA increased β-END level in the paw inflammatory tissues, while CFA raised the local levels of Met-ENK and DYN A.The increased β-END level by EA was fully reversed by α-helical CRF.Intraplantar injection of exogenous β-END alleviated prolonged inflammatory pain.EA also up-regulated the expressions of μ, δ, and κ opioid receptors in rats' L5 DRG.Conclusion: Peripheral local β-END and three subtypes of opioid receptors may be involved in EA analgesia for prolonged inflammatory pain.     

Neuroendocrine‑Immune Regulating Mechanisms for the Anti‑Inflammatory and Analgesic Actions of Acupuncture

Pain and inflammatory diseases are important clinical indications of acupuncture, which have been widely accepted in the international community. Previous studies have been focusing on rapid analgesia of acupuncture through the regulation of nervous system, but few studies on the inflammation regulatory mechanismsin which acupuncture inhibitsthe peripheralsensitization?induced pain. Based on studies concerning acupoint mechanisms of acupuncture actions and related researches on acupuncture regulating neuroendocrine and immune systems, we put forward the scientific hypothesis that acupuncture regulates neuroendocrine?immune (NEI) network and key response media therein, so as to achieve anti?inflammatory and analgesic effects in target organs. We have established a platform for acupuncture at ST36 to alleviate inflammatory pain in adjuvant induced arthritic rats. Based on the complex network analysis of multi?dimensional data from multi?time point and multi?site detection of NEI common signaling molecules, we have clarified the regulatory effects of acupuncture on NEI network and corresponding downstream immune network. Results indicated that monocytes/macrophages are the key targeting cells of acupuncture regulation, and acupuncture may display the anti?inflammatory and analgesic effects by regulating polarization of T cells in lymph nodes and polarization of M1/M2 macrophages in inflamed joints/paws. In addition, we have spotted a key molecule for acupuncture analgesia, CXCL1, as well as clarified the novel central analgesic mechanism of acupuncture mediated by CXCL1/CXCR2 desensitization. Thereby, we have provided novel evidence of the anti?inflammatory and analgesic actions of acupuncture through regulating NEI network and several key substances, highlighting a systemic research paradigm for investigating mechanisms of acupuncture actions.     

Regulatory Effect of Electroacupuncture on Ceramide Galactosyltransferase Expression in Sciatic Nerve of Experimental Diabetic Rats简

Objective： To observe the change of ceramide galactosyltransferase（CGT） expression in sciatic nerve of experimental diabetic rats after electroacupuncture（EA） treatment. Methods： The rat model of diabetic peripheral neuropathy（DPN） was established with Streptozotocin（STZ）. Twenty-eight rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, an EA acupoint group, and an EA non-acupoint group, with 7 rats in each group. Acupuncture on points Shenshu（BL 23） and Zusanli（ST 36） was performed in the EA group using EA electronic device with continuous wave, 2 Hz, 20 min every time, once every other day for 12 times. Acupuncture（on the tip of rat tail） in EA non-acupoint group was performed with the same electronic parameters and time. The model group and the normal group were not given any treatment, except the same fixation as that in the EA acupoint group. After 12 treatments, the albumen and mRNA expressions of CGT of sciatic nerve in rats from each group were measured with real-time polymerase chain reaction（RT-PCR）, fluorescence quantitative PCR（FQ-PCR） and immunohistochemical methods. Results： After modeling, the CGT expression was significantly lower than that in the normal group（P〈0.01）; however, after 12 EA treatments, the CGT positive cells in the EA acupoint group were up-regulated and significantly higher than those in the EA non-acupoint group and the model group（P〈0.01）. The CGT mRNA expression of the rats after modeling was also higher than that of the normal rats（P〈0.01）, and the expression in the EA acupoint group was significantly lower than those in the model group and the EA non-acupoint group（P〈0.01, P〈0.05）. Conclusion： EA treatment with acupoints displays some therapeutic or preventive effect in the recovery of DPN via reversing the abnormal expression of CGT mRNA in sciatic nerves of experimental diabetic neuropathy rats, and it is worthy of further study.     

ACUPUNCTURE IMPROVES LEARNING AND MEMORY IN A RAT MODEL OF YANG-DEFICIENCY(AGING) THROUGH NMDA-PKC PATHWAY

Objective: To observe the effects of Double-reinforcing and One-unblocking acupuncture method on the spatial learning and memory, LTP, and expressions of NMDA receptor 1(NMDAR1) protein and PKCγ mRNA in a rat model of Yang deficiency(aging).Methods: D-galactose injection and hydrocortisone injection were used to induce the aging with Yang-deficiency symptom in rats.Normal rats were injected with same amount of saline.EA rats were treated with Double-reinforcing and One-unblocking acupuncture methods, and EC rats were stimulated with electroacupuncture control therapy.Morris water-maze task was used as the judging standard for spatial learning and memory behavior.Population spike was used to detect the changes of potential amplitude induced by high-frequency stimulation.Synaptic structural parameters were analyzed by electron microscopy and biological image analysis system; NMDAR1 protein and PKCγ mRNA expressions were measured.Results:(1) Compared with model rats, in the EA rats, the escape latency was shorter, the first time of spatial probing of the former platform was shorter, and the number of spanning of the former platform was increased(P0.05).(2) Compared with model rats, record after HFS indicated that the incidence of LTP induction in the EA rats was higher(P0.01).(3) Compared with model rats, synaptic structural parameters were improved in EA rats(P0.01).(4) PKCγ mRNA expression of the EA group was increased(P0.01).(5) NMDAR1 protein expression of EA group was increased(P0.05).Conclusion: Effects of Double-reinforcing and One-unblocking acupuncture method can improve the spatial learning ability, memory and the hippocampal synaptic structural parameters ofrats.The treatment can increase the expressions of NMDAR1 protein and PKCγ mRNA in Yang-deficiency(aging) model rats.     

Influence of electroacupuncture on COX activity of hippocampal mitochondria in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 mice

Objective： To observe the effect of electroacupuncture （EA） on cytochrome c oxidase （COX）activity of hippocampal mitochondria in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 （SAMP8） mice, and to explore the EA mechanism on Alzheimer disease （AD） in improving energy metabolic disorder.
Methods： Twelve SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into a model group and an EA group, with six in each group. Six senescence-accelerated mouse resistance 1 （SAMR1） mice were prepared as blank group. Mice in the EA group received EA on Baihui （GV 20） and Yongquan （KI 1）, once a day for 7 d as a course, altogether 3 courses with one day intervalbetween two courses. Mice in the model group and the blank group were manipulated and fixed as those in the EA group. After interventions, Morris water maze was employed to test spatial learning and memory ability to evaluate EA effect; spectrophotometry was used to detect the activity of hippocampal mitochondria COX.
Results： Compared with the blank group, mean escape latenciesof the EA group and model group were prolonged significantly in Morris water maze tests （P〈0.01）, the residue duration in the former platform quadrant significantly decreased （P〈0.01）. Compared with the model group, mean escape latencies on 1 d, 2 d and 3 d of the EA group were significantly reduced （P〈0.05）, and those on 4 d and 5 d continued the decreasing tendency （P〈0.01）, the residue duration on the former platform quadrant was significantly prolonged （P〈0.05）. The COX activity tests showed that, compared with the blank group, COX activities of the model group and the EA group were significantly decreased （P〈0.01）; compared with the model group, COX activity of the EA group was significantly elevated （P〈0.01）.
Conclusion： It＇s plausible that EA improves AD learning and memory ability by increasing mitochondria COX activity, protecting the structure and function, and improving energy metabolism.     

“针刺镇痛”专刊序言（英文）

<正>As an acupuncture researcher,and even more as a clinical acupuncturist,I deeply feel that in recent years,the field of pain research is becoming broader and deeper.The research on acupuncture analgesia is progressing,and concurrently,I also feel the challenges that modern medicine represents for the research and application of acupuncture analgesia.     

The analgesic effect of electroacupuncture in complete Freund's adjuvant rats:a meta analysis

Pain is a global problem and has been found sensitive to acupuncture. A large number of existing and newly published studies have demonstrated the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture(EA) in complete Freund's adjuvant(CFA) rat model, necessitating a new and comprehensive review. To evaluate the curative effect of EA on thermal hyperalgesia in CFA rats, and to explore parameters that influence treatment effects, studies of EA treatment on thermal hyperalgesia of CFA rat model were identified from nine databases up to June 17, 2017. Outcome measure was heat pain threshold. All the data were analyzed using Stata 14.0/MP software. 26 studies identified included 801 rats. The quality score of the studies ranged from 3 to 6, with a mean of 4.08. The effect of EA group was improvement in outcome compared with CFA group. In subgroup analyses, frequency 2, 100, 2/100 or 20-100 Hz. acupoint Huántiào(环跳GB30),Kūnlún(昆仑 BL60) +Xuánzhōng(悬钟 GB39), Zúsānlī(足三里 ST36) +BL60 or ST36+Sānyīnjiāo(三阴交SP6), retention time 20 or 30 min, treatment time for post-CFA injection immediately, the same day as CFA injection, post-CFA injection 24 or 48 h and interval 24 or 48 h all can improve the effect on CFA rat heat pain threshold. These results show that there is positive effective of EA in CFA-induced pain,different parameters have different effects on EA treatment of CFA heat hyperalgesia, however, because of the number of eligible researches and the high risk of bias, the evidence supporting this conclusion is limited.     

CiteSpace‑Based Metrical and Visualization Analysis of Tai Chi Chuan Analgesia

Objective: The objective of the study was to explore the research status and hot topics that are most studied about in Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) analgesia through a metrical and visualization analysis of the literature and provide some referencesfor the experimental research on the analgesic effect of TCC and its clinical applications. Methods: The literature on TCC analgesia was collected from the Web of Science database, and the metrical and visualization analysis was performed using the CiteSpace. 5.6.R4 software in terms of publication outputs, countries, institutions, keywords, highly cited articles, and highly cited journals. Results: The number of annual publications gradually increased over time. The five research groups presented stable cooperative relationships and more publications. The authors ranked as top 1 were from America rather than China, which has more publications. The most common keywords were Tai Chi, randomized controlled trial, older adults, exercise, pain, low back pain, quality of life, management, etc. The literature on knee osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia had the highest citation frequency. The journals with high citation frequency included Cochrane Database System Review, Pain, and Plos One. Conclusions: Increasing attention has been paid to TCC analgesia. Randomized controlled trials, older adults, low back pain, and quality of life were found to be most studied in this field. Investigating clinical efficacy and conducting meta?analyses could be a promising direction in the future. The international cooperation and literature quality of TCC analgesia should be further strengthened.     

Correlation of the cerebral microvascular blood flow with brain temperature and electro-acupuncture stimulation

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the temperature and the microvascular blood flow of the cerebral cortex, and the influence of electro-acupuncture (EA) on the cortical microcirculation. Methods: High temperature spots on the anterior ectosylvian and low temperature spots on the posterior suprasylvian on the cortical surface of 20 cats were identified using cortical infrared thermography (CIT); the blood flow in the microcirculation on these spots was measured with laser-Doppler flowmetry. EA was given at Zusanli (ST 36) and changes in the blood flow in the cerebral cortex microcirculation were detected. Results: 1) The mean temperatures on the high (34.83±0.24°C) and low (32.28±0.27°C) temperature spots were significantly different (P0.001); this was indicative of a temperature difference on the cortical surface; 2) The average blood flow in the microcirculation of the high (266.8±19.2 PU) and low (140.8±9.9 PU) temperature spots was significantly different (P0.001). 3) On the cortical high temperature spots, the mean blood flow in the microcirculation significantly increased from 266.8±86.8 PU before EA, to 422.5±47.4 PU following 5 minutes of EA (58.35%; P0.01), and 431.8±52.8 PU 5 minutes after ceasing EA (61.84%; P0.01). 4) On the low temperature spots, there were no significant differences in blood flow following 5 minutes of EA (146.3±11.5 PU), and 5 minutes after ceasing EA (140.5±11.6 PU), when compared with that before acupuncture (140.8±9.9 PU; P0.9). Conclusion: The high temperature spots of the cortex are active functional regions of neurons with higher blood flow and a stronger response to EA. EA induces a significant increase in blood flow in the high temperature spots of the cortex.     

ACUPUNCTURE EFFECT ON CELLULAR IMMUNITY AND NEUROENDOCRINOIMMUNE NETWORK-A REVIEW OF OUR RESEARCH WORKS

The immune cells,mainly including lymphocytes,possessed tneir respective receptorsfor OLP,such as β-EP,MEK and LEK and for neurotransmitters,such as 5-HT,SP,SOMand VIP.The ligands released from the nervous system and endocrine APUD cells under stimulationof acupuncture,laser or TENS at the acupoint could exert analgesia and generally promotion of cellularimmunity with a dual regulation in individuals.The effects of immune cells preincubated with exogenousligands on cellular immunity were similar to that affected by endogenous ligands underacupuncture.Both effects of preincubation and acupuncture could be inhibited or reversed by naloxonewhich may compete with OLP and its related neurotransmitters at the same receptor slies.The ligands,primarily including OLP,may act as a link between the neuroendocrine system and immunecells or between analgesia and immune cell function.The acupuncture effect on cellular immunity maybe carried out through regulation of the neuroendocrinoimmune network in the organism.     

STUDY ON INVOLVEMENT OF L-ARG-NO IN THE PROTECTIVE ACTION OF ELECTROACUPUNCTURE ON CEREBRAL ISCHEMIC INJURY IN THE RAT

In the present study, the involvement of L-arginine(L-Arg) NO on he protective action of electroacupuncture(EA) on cerebral ischemic injury was observed in acute ischemia-reperfusion(IR)rat model by taking regional cerebral blood flow(r-CBF), cerebral water content(CWC), and blood nitric oxide(NO) contents as indexes. Results showed that 1) EA could cause r-CBF and serum NO content to increase and CWC to lower, suggesting an protective action of EA on IR cerebral injury; 2) intravenous injection of L-Arg also had an protective effect on cerebral IR cerebral injury, while L-NNA had no this effect; and 3) pre-treatment with L-Arg might strengthen the effect of EA further, while pretreatment with L-NNA could weaken its effect. It indicates that L-Arg-NO may be involved in the effect of EA in protecting the brain from ischemic injury.     

SUBSTANCE P AT THE LOCAL AREA OF ACUPOINTS MAY PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ACUPUNCTURE EFFECT

Acupoints are the main sites to receive the stimulation of acupuncture, so changes that occur at the acupoints are the initial reaction to needling.According to the neurophysiology, physical stimulation, as well as acupuncture, can cause the excitement of local afferent fibers, activation of relevant cells and release of various chemical substances.Our research team focuses on the interaction of the above-mentioned three factors of the acupoints, and their relationship with the acupuncture effects.In our recent experiment,we used 2 U/kg pituitrin solution to establish the bradycardia model of rabbits, and observed the effects of 2 Hz electroacupuncture(EA) that applied to Neiguan(PC6) and the concentration of substance P(SP) at PC6 in different time periods by radioimmunoassay.Then we injected 1 g/L NK-1 receptor(SP agonist), 1 g/L spantide(SP receptor antagonists) and 0.01 M PBS(50 μl) into PC6 respectively to observe the changes of the therapeutic effects of EA.The results showed that EA can raise the SP concentration at PC6 of the bradycardia rabbits.The therapeutic effects of each group were as follows: agonist group EA group(PBS group) model group antagonists group; no statistical differences were shown between EA group and PBS group.There existed a positive correlation between SPconcentration at PC6 and the heart rate recovery effect.Besides, we recorded the action potential of the T1-2 dorsal horn neurons which are closely related to the peripheral afferent nerves of PC6 before and after acupoint injection of spantide.The results showed that the discharge frequency of dorsal horn neurons was increased by EA and was inhibited by injection of spantide in normal rabbits.The experiment indicates that local SP may be one of the key factors of acupoint reaction, and the concentration or activity of SP may affect the acupuncture effect by changing the action potential coding of afferent nerve system.     

How is the motility of gastrointestinal sphincters modulated by acupmoxa？

Traditional Chinese medicine has been developing for more than 2500 years to prevent and treat diseases in Eastern cultures. Although acupmoxa (acupuncture and rv.oxibustion) has been recommended by World Health Organization in treatment of 43 disorders, the exact mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Due to the development of spinal gate theory, the discovery of opioid receptors and the endogenous opioid that resulted in a better understanding of the mechanisms of acupuncture analgesia, acupuncture is now proved to be effective in pain relief. Previous studies have shown that nonadrenergic noncholinergic (NANC) neuron is regarded as the main source of neurally induced relaxation of gzstrointestinal sphincters, including low esophageal sphincter (LES), the sphincter of Oddi (SO) and internal anal sphincter (IAS). The involvement of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and nitric oxide (NO) by NANC neurons has been documented to relax the above-mentioned sphincters. By using open-tip manometry in small animals, moxibustion can also be studied scientifically. Change of skin temperature on acupoints is postulated to be one of the therapeutic mechanisms for moxibustion. Application of local somatothermal stimulation (LSTS) on acupoints has been reported to induce an inhibitory response of SO in cats, rabbits and humans and to relax IAS in rabbits and humans. In these circumstances, the mechanism is speculated as a consequence of somatovisceral reflex through a heat-sensitive neural release of NO, which is temperature-dependent and stimulation site-specific. The electroacupuncture (EA)-induced SO motility changes are not inhibited by pretreatment with atropine, propranolol, phentolamine or naloxon, but are blocked by pretreatment with cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor antagonist, proglumide, and by injection of anti-CCK-8 antibody during EA with a dose-dependent relationship. The fact that an obvious elevation of plasma CCK level during EA stimulation on GB 24 and LR 14 acupoints suggests that F‘‘A causes a secretion of CCK which in turn affect biliary tract motility in rabbits and cats。 Viscero-visceral reflex regulation is a normal physiological response. A growing body of evidence suggests acupuncture and moxibustion may regulate visceral function and modulate immune response through a “somato-visceral regulation“ mechanism. Recent advance in the technology of functional magnetic resonance image analysis had made visualization of brain image possible at teh same time when sensory stimulation is applied at body surface. The effectiveness of acupuncture treatment can be well demonstrated in vivo and the lineage between somato-visceral regulation and corresponding brain function can thus be elucidated. The incorporation of Western innovations into traditional Chinese medicine will make acupmoxa an evidence-based medicine, which can withstand rigorous assessment of its effect and mechanism.     

慢性疼痛及其诱发负面情绪的神经环路及电针调节机制（英文）

Chronic pain is a common clinical condition that is frequently linked to negative emotions such as anxiety and depression.Electroacupuncture(EA) has been shown to have beneficial therapeutic effects in analgesia and the reduction of pain-induced negative emotions,and promising results have been obtained in the study of its neural circuit mechanism.Optogenetics,chemogenetics,neurocircuit tracing,functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI),and conditional gene knockdown experiments have shown that...     

Tyrosinase Inhibitory Activity of Total Triterpenes and Poricoic Acid A Isolated from Poria cocos

Objective With the improvement of people’s living standards, people’s requests for beauty are increasing. Skin whitening and lightening have become the pursuit of many women, and whitening and removing freckles have become the focus of scientific research. At present, widely used whitening agents, such as kojic acid, vitamin C, and its derivatives, have shortcomings such as poor stability and retarded effect. Therefore, safer and more effective whitening products from herbs are urgently needed. To explore the possibility of triterpenes as whitening active substance, the effects of total triterpenes of Poria (TTP) and poricoic acid A (PAA) on mushroom tyrosinase activities and B16 cells were investigated, and their mechanisms on mushroom tyrosinase were also studied. Methods Using arbutin and nicotinamide as reference substances, we determinated the inhibitory effects of TTP and PAA on mushroom tyrosinase and tyrosinase in B16 cells and then studied the inhibitory mechanism on mushroom tyrosinase. Results TTP and PAA exhibited good inhibitory effects on the activities of monophenolase and diphenolase in mushroom tyrosinase, as well as a certain inhibitory effect on tyrosinase in B16 cells. Conclusion TTP and PAA are potential whitening active ingredients.     

Experimental Research PARTICIPATION OF GABA IN SH EMANATING DESCENDING MODULATION ON THE NUCLEUS CENTRUM MEDIANUM VIA MOTOR CORTEX IN ACUPUNCTURE ANALGESIA

The effects of electrical stimulation of second somatosensory area(S Ⅱ)andelectroacupuncture(EA)at Huantiao(GB 30)and Yanglinquan(GB 34)points on nociceptive re-sponses of neurons in the nucleus centrum medianum(CM)in the thalamus were respectively ob-served after topical application of bicuculline(Bic)at the motor cortex(MCtx),and the results werecompared with those obtained in the saline control group.It was found that following application ofBic either electrical stimulation of SII(n=11)or EA(n=11)yielded obvious inhibition on nocicep-tive responses of CM neurons(P<0.05),which was similar to the inhibitory effects obtained in thesaline control groups(n=11,n=10).After GABA application at MCtx electrical stimulation of SIIfailed to show inhibition on nociceptive responses in 3 CM neurons.It is indicated that GABA in MC-tx is involved in SII originating corticofugal regulation of nucleus CM in acupuncture analgesia.     

Natural alkaloids： basic aspects,biological roles,and future perspectives

Natural products have gained popularity worldwide for promoting healthcare, as well as disease prevention. Alka- loids are important chemical compounds that serve as a rich reservoir for drug discovery. Several alkaloids isolated from natural herbs exhibit antiproliferation, antibacterial, antiviral, insecticidal, and antimetastatic effects on various types of cancers both in vi- tro and in vivo. This paper focuses on the naturally-derived alkaloids such as berberine, matrine, piperine, fritillarine, and rhyn- chophylline, etc., and summarizes the action mechanisms of these compounds. Based on the information in the literature that is summarized in this paper, the use of alkaloids as drugs is very promising, but more research and clinical trials are necessary before final recommendations on specific alkaloids can be made. Following this, it is hoped that as a result of this review, there will be a greater awareness of the excellent promise that natural alkaloids show for use in the therapy of diseases.