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Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine... Feb 2024To explore the mechanism of the Chinese medicine Cigu Xiaozhi prescription (, CGXZ) in the treatment of the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by detoxification...
OBJECTIVE
To explore the mechanism of the Chinese medicine Cigu Xiaozhi prescription (, CGXZ) in the treatment of the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by detoxification and phlegm-reducing, the effect of CGXZ prescription on ceramide-mediated lipid apoptosis in Hep G2 cells with NAFLD.
METHODS
The experiment was randomly divided into 6 groups: normal control group, model group, CGXZ prescription medicated serum high, medium, and low dose groups, and pioglitazone positive control group. Using 500 μmol/L free fatty acid (FFA) mixture to induce Hep G2 cells to establish NAFLD cell model, respectively, with 2%, 4%, and 6% concentration of CGXZ prescription medicated serum intervention for 24 h. The changes in organelles and lipid droplet accumulation were observed under the electron microscope. Furthermore, TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling method was used to assay hepatocyte apoptosis; Biochemical determination of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, triglycerides, and FFA levels in Hep G2 cells; the content of ceramide was determined by high-performance thin-layer chromatography. Finally, Western Blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were used to determine the protein and gene expression levels, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X (Bax).
RESULTS
Under the electron microscope, the cells in the model group showed moderate-to-severe steatosis, and apoptotic bodies could be seen. The model group had greater improvements in the apoptosis rate ( 0.01), and the levels of ceramide C2 and FFA in the cytoplasm ( 0.01) than the normal control group. The protein expressions of NF-κB, iNOS, and Bax were significantly up-regulated ( 0.05), while the Bcl-2 had no significant change ( 0.05). Compared with the model group, the levels of ceramide C2 and FFA ( 0.01), the protein expressions of NF-κB, iNOS, and Bax ( 0.05) in the CGXZ prescription treatment group and pioglitazone positive control group were significantly decreased; Only the Bcl-2 protein was significantly up-regulated in the high-dose Chinese medicine group ( 0.05). The down-regulation of Bax mRNA expression in each Chinese medicine treatment group was significantly better than in the pioglitazone positive control group ( 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
The CGXZ prescription, formulated with the method of detoxification and phlegm, can inhibit lipoapoptosis in the NAFLD cell model by down-regulating the levels of ceramide C2 and FFA, which may be achieved by regulating ceramide/iNOS/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Topics: Humans; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Liver; NF-kappa B; bcl-2-Associated X Protein; Ceramides; Pioglitazone; Prescriptions
PubMed: 38213240
DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.20231215.002 -
Chest Jan 2024A 39-year-old man who did not smoke was admitted to the hospital with recurrent cough for 1 year, accompanied by sputum expectoration (with a small amount of white...
A 39-year-old man who did not smoke was admitted to the hospital with recurrent cough for 1 year, accompanied by sputum expectoration (with a small amount of white phlegm), acid regurgitation, and belching. Nasal symptoms or other cough-related contributing factors were denied. The patient reported that his cough mainly occurred at nighttime and was aggravated in the supine position. Vomiting could occur when the cough was violent. He denied fever, dysphonia, chest tightness, wheezing, chest pain and hemoptysis, abdominal pain, and bloating. The patient had initially presented to the local hospital and underwent a chest CT scan. The chest CT scan showed slight and scattered patchy infiltration in bilateral lung fields and without other significant pulmonary lesions. Anti-infective treatment was administered but was not effective for ameliorating the cough symptoms. He then received an inhaled corticosteroid, antihistamines, antileukotriene agents, or proton pump inhibitors for 6 months. However, all these treatments failed to alleviate the patient's cough. He had a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia for > 10 years and was treated with valsartan (an angiotensin II receptor blocker) and atorvastatin. In the past year, the patient had lost 10 kg of weight, and his current BMI was 27.72 kg/m.
Topics: Male; Humans; Adult; Eructation; Chronic Cough; Cough; Vomiting; Hemoptysis
PubMed: 38199739
DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2023.07.001 -
European Journal of Internal Medicine Sep 2023
Topics: Humans; Male; Respiratory System; Sputum
PubMed: 37173193
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2023.04.027 -
Heliyon Feb 2024is one of the biggest and complex genera of the Acanthaceae family. is commonly known as 'Adosa'. It is an ayurvedic medicine with a medicinal history of more than a... (Review)
Review
is one of the biggest and complex genera of the Acanthaceae family. is commonly known as 'Adosa'. It is an ayurvedic medicine with a medicinal history of more than a thousand years in India. Traditionally, it is used to treat cough, asthma, phlegm, bleeding hemorrhoids, for both adults and youth. This plant possesses antiarthritis, antiseptic, antimicrobial, anti-tuberculosis, anti-inflammatory and abortifacient properties. Alkaloids are the major phytoconstituents present in the plant in the form of pyrrolo-quinazoline derivatives vasicine, vasicinone, vasicinol, adhatodine, adhatodinine, adhavasinone and anisotine etc. The asserted objectives are to conduct a systematic review on the phytochemistry, pharmacology and traditional uses of , as well as highlighting the challenges found in the research. This will promote the utilization of at extract level and further development of new drug leads based on the compounds isolated and used for treatment of various ailments. The present review covers the literature survey from 1888 to 2023. The relevant data has been collected from various peer-reviwed journals, and books Sci-Finder, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, EBSCO, online electronic journals, SpringerLink and Wiley. This paper aims to present a systematic review of known traditional applications, pharmacological and chemical aspects in .
PubMed: 38379997
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25727 -
Journal of Voice : Official Journal of... Jan 2024To compare the occurrence of vocal signs and symptoms before, during, and after coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and analyze possible risk factors for the persistence of... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
OBJECTIVE
To compare the occurrence of vocal signs and symptoms before, during, and after coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and analyze possible risk factors for the persistence of these signs and symptoms after disease resolution.
METHODS
This was an observational, analytical, and cross-sectional study. The participants were 45 individuals of both sexes, with a mean age of 44 years, who were previously affected by COVID-19. All participants answered a questionnaire about sociodemographic data, smoking history, disease course, vocal complaints, and the vocal signs and symptoms list (SSL), referring to three timepoints (before, during, and after COVID-19).
RESULTS
The most commonly reported vocal signs and symptoms before COVID-19 were phlegm (26.67%; n=12) and dry throat (24.44%; n=11). During COVID-19, the most frequent vocal signs and symptoms were tired voice after short-term use (73.33%; n=33) and dry throat (71.11%; n=32). After the disease, the most reported vocal signs and symptoms were dry throat (57.78%; n=26) and phlegm (53.33; n=24). The self-perception of vocal signs and symptoms before COVID-19 was lower than that during and after COVID-19 (P < 0.001). Vocal complaints after COVID-19 and oxygen therapy were predictors of self-perception of vocal signs and symptoms after COVID-19.
CONCLUSIONS
Individuals affected by COVID-19 had a higher frequency of vocal signs and symptoms during the disease. However, after remission, the frequency of vocal signs and symptoms was higher than that at baseline. The need for oxygen therapy may indicate a risk for a higher occurrence of vocal signs and symptoms after COVID-19.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Voice Quality; COVID-19; Risk Factors; Oxygen
PubMed: 34583881
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2021.07.013 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Jan 2024Yuanzhi Powder (YZP) is a classical Chinese medicine prescription, which is suitable for the treatment of dementia by "dispelling phlegm and opening orifice". The...
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Yuanzhi Powder (YZP) is a classical Chinese medicine prescription, which is suitable for the treatment of dementia by "dispelling phlegm and opening orifice". The therapeutic efficacy of YZP on Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been previously reported in our work. However, it remains unclear whether the neuroprotective effect of YZP is linked to β-amyloid(Aβ) clearance through cerebral lymphatic drainage.
AIM OF THE STUDY
The aim was to determine the protective efficacy of YZP against AD and investigate the potential mechanism for eliminating excessive Aβ deposition.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
APP/PS1 mice were divided into four groups of 8 mice each: APP/PS1 group, DONE group, L-YZP group, and H-YZP group. Additionally, 8 wild-type littermates were assigned to the control group (WT group). After 8 weeks of consecutive intragastric administration, behavioral tests, including the open field test, novel object recognition test and Morris Water Maze test, were employed to assess the cognitive abilities of all groups of mice. Nissl staining, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting were utilized to evaluate clearance of excessive Aβ deposition and pathological changes. Furthermore, immunofluorescence was applied to visualize the drainage of the cerebral lymphatic system after fluorescent tracer injection in the cisterna magna.
RESULTS
The administration of YZP significantly attenuated cognitive deficits, cleared excessive Aβ deposition, and improved pathological damage in APP/PS1 mice. Furthermore, YZP effectively enhanced glymphatic system drainage by restoring AQP4 polarization and inhibiting reactive astrogliosis. Additionally, YZP facilitated the drainage of meningeal lymphatic vessels (MLVs) by augmenting their diameter and coverage. Lastly, YZP promoted the elimination of Aβ from the brain to deep cervical lymph nodes.
CONCLUSIONS
The administration of YZP may ameliorate the cognitive deficits and pathological damage in APP/PS1 mice by effectively clearing excessive Aβ deposition. The underlying mechanisms potentially involve Aβ clearance through the cerebral lymphatic system, which includes the glymphatic system and MLVs.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Glymphatic System; Powders; Mice, Transgenic; Alzheimer Disease; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Disease Models, Animal; Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor
PubMed: 37717839
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117195 -
PloS One 2023Indoor air pollutants (IAP) and household conditions such as dampness, crowding and chemical exposures have been associated with acute and chronic respiratory...
BACKGROUND
Indoor air pollutants (IAP) and household conditions such as dampness, crowding and chemical exposures have been associated with acute and chronic respiratory infections. In Uganda, literature on the effects of IAP on respiratory outcomes in informal settlements is limited.
METHODS
We describe the baseline household characteristics of 284 adults and their children in an informal settlement in Uganda from April to May 2022. We monitored same-day indoor concentrations of particulate matter PM2.5, PM10, Carbon monoxide (CO), relative humidity %, and temperature from 9 am to 2 pm and interviewed caregivers/mothers about their respiratory symptoms and those of their children in the previous 30 days. We employed robust Poisson regressions to evaluate the associations between indoor air indicators and respiratory health symptoms.
RESULTS
Approximately 94.7% of households primarily used biomass fuels and 32.7% cooked from inside their dwelling rooms. The median PM2.5, PM10 and CO levels were 49.5 (Interquartile range (IQR) = 31.1,86.2) μg/m3, 73.6 (IQR = 47.3,130.5) μg/m3 and 7.70 (IQR = 4.1,12.5) ppm respectively. Among adults, a 10 unit increase in PM2.5 was associated with cough (Prevalence Ratio (PR) = 3.75, 95%CI 1.15-1.55). Dwelling unit dampness was associated with phlegm (PR = 2.53, 95%CI = 1.39-4.61) and shortness of breath (PR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.23-2.54) while cooking from outside the house was protective against shortness of breath (PR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.44-0.87). In children, dampness was associated with phlegm (PR = 13.87, 95% CI 3.16-60.91) and cough (PR = 1.62, 95% CI 1.12-2.34) while indoor residual spraying was associated with phlegm (PR = 3.36, 95%CI 1.71-6.61).
CONCLUSION
Poor indoor air conditions were associated with respiratory symptoms in adults and children. Efforts to address indoor air pollution should be made to protect adults and children from adverse health effects.
Topics: Adult; Child; Humans; Air Pollutants; Cross-Sectional Studies; Uganda; Cough; Particulate Matter; Alarmins; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Dyspnea
PubMed: 37590259
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290170 -
Gualou-Xiebai-Banxia-Tang regulates liver-gut axis to ameliorate Metabolic Syndrome in HFD-fed mice.Phytomedicine : International Journal... Jan 2024Metabolic syndrome (MetS), characterized by obesity, hyperglycemia, and abnormal blood lipid levels, is the pathological basis of many cardiovascular diseases....
BACKGROUND
Metabolic syndrome (MetS), characterized by obesity, hyperglycemia, and abnormal blood lipid levels, is the pathological basis of many cardiovascular diseases. Gualou-Xiebai-Banxia-Tang decoction (GT) was first described in the Synopsis of the Golden Chamber, the earliest traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) monograph on diagnosis and treatment of miscellaneous diseases in China. According to TCM precepts, based on its ability to activate yang to release stagnation, activate qi to reduce depression, remove phlegm, and broaden the chest, GT has been used for more than 2,000 years to treat cardiovascular ailments. However, the molecular bases of its therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear.
PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to identify lipid- and glucose-related hepatic genes differentially regulated by GT, and to assess GT impact on gut microbiota composition, in mice with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced MetS.
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
ApoE/ mice were fed with an HFD for 24 weeks, with or without concurrent GT supplementation, to induce MetS. At the study's end, body weight, visceral fat weight, blood lipid levels, and insulin sensitivity were measured, and histopathological staining was used to evaluate hepatosteatosis and intestinal barrier integrity. Liver transcriptomics was used for analysis of differentially expressed genes in liver and prediction of relevant regulatory pathways. Hepatic lipid/glucose metabolism-related genes and proteins were detected by RT-qPCR and western blotting. Gut microbial composition was determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
RESULTS
GT administration reduced MetS-related liver steatosis and weight gain, promoted insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism, and beneficially modulated gut microbiota composition by decreasing the relative abundance of g_Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and increasing the relative abundance of g_Alistipes. Liver transcriptomics revealed that GT regulated the expression of genes related to lipid and glucose metabolism (Pparγ, Igf1, Gpnmb, and Trem2) and of genes encoding chemokines/chemokine receptors (e.g. Cxcl9 and Cx3cr1). Significant, positive correlations were found for Ccr2, Ccl4, Ccr1, and Cx3cr1 and the g_Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, and between Cxcl9, Ccr2, Ccl4, and Cx3cr1 and g_Desulfovibrio. GT treatment downregulated the protein expressions of SCD1 and CX3CR1 and upregulated the expression of PCK1 protein.
CONCLUSION
GT supplementation alleviates HFD-induced MetS in mice by improving hepatic lipid and glucose metabolism. The anti-metabolic syndrome effects of GT may be related to the regulation of the gut-liver axis.
PubMed: 38901285
DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155320 -
International Journal of Biological... Jun 2024Platycodon grandiflorum (P. grandiflorum) has long been used as a food and traditional herbal medicine. As a food, P. grandiflorum is often transformed into pickles for... (Review)
Review
Platycodon grandiflorum (P. grandiflorum) has long been used as a food and traditional herbal medicine. As a food, P. grandiflorum is often transformed into pickles for consumption, and as a traditional Chinese medicine, P. grandiflorum clears the lung, nourishes the pharynx, dispels phlegm, and discharges pus. Polysaccharides are among the main active components of P. grandiflorum. Recent literature has described the preparation, identification, and pharmacological activity of these polysaccharides. Studies have shown that these polysaccharides exhibit a variety of significant biological effects in vitro and in vivo, such as immune stimulation and antioxidant, anti-liver injury, anti-apoptosis and antitumour effects. However, there is no systematic summary of the related research articles on P. grandiflorum polysaccharide, which undoubtedly brings some difficulties to the future research. The purpose of this review is to comprehensively describe research progress on the extraction, purification, structural characterization, modification, and biological activity of P. grandiflorum polysaccharides. The shortcomings of recent research are summarized, further research on their biological activity is proposed to provide new reference value for the application of P. grandiflorum polysaccharides in drugs and health products in the future.
Topics: Platycodon; Polysaccharides; Humans; Animals; Antioxidants; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 38795891
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132617 -
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine... Oct 2023To investigate the influence and possible targets of Dangua Fang on tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and respiratory chain to enrich the prescription's mechanism of...
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the influence and possible targets of Dangua Fang on tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and respiratory chain to enrich the prescription's mechanism of effective intervention on glycolipid metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes.
METHODS
After interventional rats were fed with high glucose and high fat diet ad libitum for 4 weeks, intraperitoneally injected streptozotocin to induce diabetic model. According to blood glucose level,28 diabetic rats were selected and continued to be fed with high glucose and high fat diet, were stratified by body weight, and divided randomly by blood glucose into Model group (was given sterile water by gastric perfusion and injected aquae pro injection intraperitoneally), Dangua group [Dangua liquor 20.5 g·kg·d by perfusion and aquae pro injection intraperitoneally], Inhibitor group [sterile water by perfusion and nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase (Nampt) specific blocker GEN-617 1.25 mg/kg intraperitoneally], DanInhit group (Dangua liquor and GEN-617 synchronously). Control group were continuously fed with ordinary diet. The intervention was last for 10 weeks. Body weight (BW), liver index (LI), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), TC, TG, free fatty acids (FFA), creatinine (Cr), and A-ketoglutarate (α-KG), Iso-citric acid (ICA), oxaloacetic acid (OAA) were tested. The cytochrome C oxidase (COX) and Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) were evaluated by Colorimetry; Nampt protein, Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase (ATPs), Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)and its reduced (NADH) in liver were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of Nampt and mitochondrialnadhdehydrogenase-1 (mt-ND1) gene in liver was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Hepatic tissue staining was also completed.
RESULTS
The levels of BW, ICA, α-KG and Nampt-mRNA in the Model group are lower than that in the Normal group ( 0.05), conversely, liver weight, LI, TC, HbA1c, SDH and ATPs, mt-ND1-mRNA, and Nampt protein in the Model group are higher ( 0.01, 0.05). Compared with Model group, the levels of ICA, Nampt-mRNA and Nampt in Dangua group are significantly increased, and FFA obviously raised ( 0.01 and 0.05); liver weight, BW, SDH are obviously lower, and HbA1c decreased significantly ( 0.01, 0.05). TG, FFA and Nampt protein increased in the DanInhit group, TC, TG, BW obviously increased in the Inhibitor group, but SDH is decreased in both the two groups ( 0.05, 0.01). Compared with Dangua group, DanInhib group has the lower levels of ICA, mt-ND1-mRNA, Nampt-mRNA, and the higher level of BW, LI and HbA1c. In the Inhibitor group, ICA and Nampt protein decreased, BW and LI, HbA1c and TG increased ( 0.01 or 0.05). Tissue staining display that, in the model group there is obvious pathologic changes ie: fibrosis, steatosis and inflammatory cell infiltration. Lesions in the Dangua group are mild, and those of Inhibitor group are more obvious than the Model group, and DanInhit group is intermediately affected compared to Dangua group and Inhibitor group.
CONCLUSION
Dangua Fang increases the metabolic flux of TCA cycle and optimizes respiratory chain function by up-regulating Nampt expression.
Topics: Rats; Animals; Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Blood Glucose; Citric Acid Cycle; Electron Transport; Glycated Hemoglobin; RNA, Messenger; Water; Body Weight
PubMed: 37946477
DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.20230904.002