Inhibitory effects of casticin on migration of eosinophil and expression of chemokines and adhesion molecules in A549 lung epithelial cells via NF-κB inactivation

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The fruits of Vitex rotundifolia L. have long been used for the treatment of inflammation of the respiratory tract in East Asia.

Aim

To determine if casticin, one of the constituents of Vitex rotundifolia L., has anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects in asthma.

Materials and methods

The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of casticin was studied in A549 human type II-like epithelial lung cells using an eotaxin inhibition assay. Additionally, its effects on eotaxin, regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, and inter-cellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 expression were investigated by real time-polymerase chain reaction (real time-PCR). The inhibition of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activity in the presence of casticin was determined by analyzing confocal microscopy images of fluorescence immunocytochemical analysis while the suppression of inhibitory κB (IκB)-α phosphorylation was studied using Western blot analysis. Finally, the inhibitory effect of casticin on eosinophil migration toward prestimulated A549 cell media was measured using the human eosinophilic leukemia cell line.

Results and discussion

Casticin significantly suppressed eotaxin production in cytokine activated A549 lung epithelial cells. Casticin also suppressed the mRNA expression levels of eotaxin, RANTES, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1, which subsequently contributed to the inhibition of eosinophil migration. Furthermore, casticin inhibited IκB-α phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65 in A549 cells.

Conclusion

Casiticin inhibited the eosinophil migration and activity of chemokines and adhesion molecules involved in the inflammatory process of asthma by suppressing the NF-κB pathway. These results suggest that casticin has the potential for use in the treatment of allergic asthma.     

Effects of traditional herbal medicine, Hwaotang, on atherosclerosis using the spontaneous familial hypercholesterolemia model, Kurosawa and Kusanagi-hypercholesterolemic rabbits and the venous thrombosis rats

Hwaotang (HOT), a traditional Korean medicinal formulation, is a dried decoctum of a mixture of seven herbal medicines, consisting of Angelica gigantis Radix, Rehmanniae Radix, Paeoniae Radix, Ciniamomi Cortex, Cnidii Rhizoma, Persicae Semen and Carthami Flos. In the present study, the inhibitory effects and anti thrombic properties of HOT on the progression of atherosclerotic lesions were studied using the spontaneous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) model, Kurosawa and Kusanagi-hypercholesterolemic (KHC) rabbits and rats. Changes in blood chemistry, pathology and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation were measured in a control and HOT group. In the control group, the area of atheromatous plaques of the aorta progressed between week 12 (36.65%) and week 14 (46.22%). This progression of atherosclerotic lesions did not occur in the HOT-treated group after 12 (24.24%) and 14 (23.34%) weeks. Antioxidative effects on LDL were seen in the HOT in weeks 12 and 14. HOT improved the hypercholesterolemia in the KHC rabbits. On the other hand, HOT and five of the seven herbs, except Cnidii Rhizoma and Carthami Flos, inhibited the endotoxin-induced hepatic venous thrombosis in high cholesterol diet-treated rats. However, Ciniamomi Cortex showed a very weak inhibitory effect on the endotoxin-induced hepatic venous thrombosis. The extract also inhibited the endotoxin-induced decrease in blood platelets and fibrinogen, and endotoxin-induced increase in fibrin degradation products (FDP) on disseminated intravascular coagulation in normal rats. In conclusion, these results suggest that HOT has inhibitory effects on the development of atheromatous plaque formation in spontaneous FH rabbits. It is also suggested that the antioxidative effects of HOT on LDL led to the beneficial effects observed in this study. The protection by HOT and its herbs on the artificially induced ischemic infarction might be related to their inhibitory effects on disseminated intravascular coagulation, platelet coagulation and thrombotic action.     

Clinical trial on the role of tuina in rehabilitation therapy following total hip replacement

目的：观察推拿在全髋关节置换术后康复治疗中的临床疗效。方法：将60例患者随机分成治疗组和对照组。治疗组30例进行推拿结合康复治疗,对照组30例进行单纯康复治疗。两组均治疗2星期。分别观察两组患者术后7天、术后2星期、术后6星期的改良人工髋关节Harris量表及汉密尔顿焦虑量表（Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale,HAMA）。结果：Harris量表评分总分,两组组内患者不同时间点多重比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;术后1天、术后7天及术后6星期两组间比较,差畀均无统计学意义（A,0．05）;术后2星期两组间比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。HAMA量表两组组内患者不同时间点多重比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;术后1天两纽间评分无显著性差异（P〉0．05）;术后7天、术后2星期、术后6星期两组间评分均有显著性差异（P〈0．05）。结论：单位时间内,推拿结合康复治疗对全髋关节置换术后患者的疼痛、关节活动范围及焦虑等方面的改善作用优于单纯康复治疗。     

Treatment of 97 cases of prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc by manipulations of bone setting plus acupuncture

先应用改良斜扳法和旋转定位扳法对腰椎间盘突出症患者进行手法复位,然后取水沟和委中为主穴,进行针剌治疗.共治疗97例患者,治愈58例,好转35例,无效4例,总有效率95.9%.     

Influence of moxa smoke on mitochondrial transmembrane potential and Bax/Bcl-2 in alveolar type II epithelial A549 cells

Objective

To investigate the influence of moxibustion products on mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP) and mRNA expression of Bax/Bcl-2 in alveolar type II epithelial A549 cells, and to further explore influence of moxibustion products on the oxidative damage of A549 cells.

Methods

Smoke and particles generated by moxibustion were collected using the filter box for gas sampling. The moxa smoke extract (MSE) was diluted sequentially to the final concentrations of 0.05 mg/mL, 0.1 mg/mL, 0.2 mg/mL, 0.3 mg/mL and 0.4 mg/mL using the cell culture medium, and A549 cells were then intervened by the above MSE solution. Cell MTP was detected by JC-1 staining. Fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA expression of A549 cells.

Results

Compared with cells in the normal control group, MTP was significantly decreased in cells of 0.3 mg/mL and 0.4 mg/mL MSE intervention groups (P<0.01); while MTP showed no significant changes in cells of 0.05 mg/mL, 0.1 mg/mL and 0.2 mg/mL MSE intervention groups (P>0.05); compared with cells in 0.05 mg/mL MSE intervention group, MTP was decreased significantly in cells of 0.1 mg/mL, 0.2 mg/mL, 0.3 mg/mL and 0.4 mg/mL MSE intervention groups (P<0.05 ); compared with cells in 0.1 mg/mL MSE intervention group, MTP was decreased significantly in cells of 0.4 mg/mL MSE intervention group (P<0.01). Bax mRNA expression of cells in each concentration of MSE intervention group all showed no significant difference compared to that in the normal control group; Bcl-2 mRNA expression of cells was reduced with the increase of MSE intervention concentration. Wherein, Bcl-2 mRNA expressions of cells in 0.4 mg/mL and 0.3 mg/mL MSE intervention groups were significantly reduced compared with that of cells in the normal control group (P<0.05); Bcl-2 mRNA expression of cells in 0.4 mg/mL MSE intervention group was significantly reduced compared to that in 0.05 mg/mL MSE intervention group (P<0.05).

Conclusion

Certain higher concentration of moxa smoke could reduce MTP and mRNA expression of the anti-apoptosis gene Bcl-2 in alveolar type II epithelial A549 cells. Oxidative damage may be the important mechanism of apoptosis caused by the high concentration of moxa smoke solution, and further studies are necessary on the specific mechanisms.

     

Observation on clinical effect of tuina plus Western medication for functional dyspepsia due to liver qi stagnation and spleen deficiency

Objective

To observe the clinical effects of tuina plus Western medication for functional dyspepsia (FD) due to liver qi stagnation and spleen deficiency.

Methods

total of 72 patients in conformity with the inclusion criteria of FD were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group based upon the random number table, 36 cases in each group. The control group was treated with mosapride citrate dispersible tablets, and the observation group was treated with the same tablets plus tuina. Before the treatment and 4 weeks after the treatment, the clinical symptoms, quality of life (QOL) and depression severity were observed by the scale, and were followed up two months later after the treatment for assessment of the clinical effects.

Results

After the treatment and at the follow-up, the symptom scores of FD and the sores of Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD) in both groups decreased, and the scores in Chinese version of quality of life questionnaire for functional digestive disorders (Chin-FDDQL) increased, with statistically significant differences in comparison with the same group before the treatment (all P<0.05). In comparison between the two groups at the same time point after the treatment, the scores of FD symptoms, HAMD and Chin-FDDQL were improved better in the observation group than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The total effective rates at the follow-up were 91.7% in the observation group and 75.0% in the control group, without statistical difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The rate of clinical cure and remarkable effect was 66.7% in the observation group, higher than 41.7% in the control group, it is higher in the observation group than that in the control group, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05).

Conclusion

Tuina plus Western medication is precise in the therapeutic effects for FD due to liver qi stagnation and spleen deficiency and can effectively relieve clinical symptoms, elevate the QOL and alleviate depression severity of the patients. Moreover, it’s better than the treatment by Western medication alone in the long-term therapeutic effects.

     

Triple Therapy-Based on Tegoprazan,a New Potassium-Competitive Acid Blocker,for First-Line Treatment of Helicobacter pylori Infection: A Randomized,Double-Blind,Phase III,Clinical Trial

Background/AimsWe examined the efficacy and safety of tegoprazan as a part of first-line triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication.MethodsA randomized, double-blind, controlled, multicenter study was performed to evaluate whether tegoprazan (50 mg)-based triple therapy (TPZ) was noninferior to lansoprazole (30 mg)-based triple therapy (LPZ) (with amoxicillin 1 g and clarithromycin 500 mg; all administered twice daily for 7 days) for treating H. pylori. The primary endpoint was the H. pylori eradication rate. Subgroup analyses were performed according to the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 genotype, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of amoxicillin and clarithromycin, and underlying gastric diseases.ResultsIn total, 350 H. pylori-positive patients were randomly allocated to the TPZ or LPZ group. The H. pylori eradication rates in the TPZ and LPZ groups were 62.86% (110/175) and 60.57% (106/175) in an intention-to-treat analysis and 69.33% (104/150) and 67.33% (101/150) in a per-protocol analysis (non-inferiority test, p=0.009 and p=0.013), respectively. Subgroup analyses according to MICs or CYP2C19 did not show remarkable differences in eradication rate. Both first-line triple therapies were well-tolerated with no notable differences.ConclusionsTPZ is as effective as proton pump inhibitor-based triple therapy and is as safe as first-line H. pylori eradication therapy but does not overcome the clarithromycin resistance of H. pylori in Korea (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT03317223","term_id":"NCT03317223"}}NCT03317223).     

Effect of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 genetics polymorphism on clinicopathological characteristics of uterine cervical cancer patients in Taiwan

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 (TIMP-3) have been revealed to be related to various cancers. To date, no study explores the relationships between TIMP-3 polymorphisms and uterine cervical cancer. The purposes of this research were to investigate the associations among genetic variants of TIMP-3 and development and clinicopathological factors of uterine cervical cancer, and patient 5 years survival in Taiwanese women. The study included 123 patients with invasive cancer and 97 with precancerous lesions of uterine cervix, and 300 control women. TIMP-3 polymorphisms rs9619311, rs9862 and rs11547635 were checked and their genotypic distributions were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. It showed that women with genotypes CT/TT in rs9862 were found to display a higher risk of developing cervical cancer with moderate and poor cell differentiation. Moreover, it revealed that cervical cancer patients carrying genotypes CC in rs9619311 exhibited a poorer 5 years survival, as compared to those with TT/TC in Taiwanese women, using univariate analysis. In addition, pelvic lymph node metastasis was determined to independently predict 5 years survival in cervical cancer patients using multivariate analysis. Conclusively, TIMP-3 SNPs polymorphisms rs9619311 are related to cervical patient survival in Taiwanese women.     

A bibliometric analysis of research on herbal medicine for obesity over the past 20 years

Background:The aim of this study was to analyze published papers on the use of herbal medicine in obesity research over the past 20 years using bibliometric methods and present an overview of global research trends.Methods:English articles on herbal medicine for obesity published from 2001 to 2020 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database using the search terms “herbal” AND “obesity”. Microsoft Office Excel was used to sort and analyze the statistical data. Bibliographic analysis and data visualization were performed using visualization of similarities viewer based on publication year, country of publication, journal, research area, author, affiliated institution, and keywords.Results:A total of 463 English articles were retrieved, and we observed a trend in which the number of publications on herbal medicine for obesity has gradually increased over the past 20 years. The most productive countries and research organizations in this field were Korea and Kyunghee University, respectively. Many papers have been published in research areas, such as pharmacology pharmacy and integrative complementary medicine, and the journals with the most published articles in this field were Journal of Ethnopharmacology and Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The main research keywords formed 3 clusters, and keywords with the most occurrences were “obesity,” “adipose-tissue,” and “insulin resistance.”Conclusion:This study presents an overview of the global research trend of herbal medicine for obesity from the bibliographic analysis. An increased understanding of the recently changing research topics provides a new perspective on future research directions. This study may help guide the research in the field of obesity in the future.