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Pharmaceutical Biology Dec 2022Farrerol, a typical natural flavanone isolated from the traditional Chinese herb 'Man-shan-hong' [ L. (Ericaceae)] with phlegm-reducing and cough-relieving properties,...
CONTEXT
Farrerol, a typical natural flavanone isolated from the traditional Chinese herb 'Man-shan-hong' [ L. (Ericaceae)] with phlegm-reducing and cough-relieving properties, is widely used in China for treating bronchitis and asthma.
OBJECTIVE
To present the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, vasoactive, antitumor, and antimicrobial effects of farrerol and its underlying molecular mechanisms.
METHODS
The literature was reviewed by searching PubMed, Medline, Web of Knowledge, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases between 2011 and May 2021. The following key words were used: 'farrerol,' 'flavanone,' 'anti-inflammatory,' 'antioxidant,' 'vasoactive,' 'antitumor,' 'antimicrobial,' and 'molecular mechanisms'.
RESULTS
Farrerol showed anti-inflammatory effects mainly mediated via the inhibition of interleukin (IL)-6/8, IL-1β, tumour necrosis factor(TNF)-α, NF-κB, NO, COX-2, JNK1/2, AKT, PI3K, ERK1/2, p38, Keap-1, and TGF-1β. Farrerol exhibited antioxidant effects by decreasing JNK, MDA, ROS, NOX4, Bax/Bcl-2, caspase-3, p-p38 MAPK, and GSK-3β levels and enhancing Nrf2, GSH, SOD, GSH-Px, HO-1, NQO1, and p-ERK levels. The vasoactive effects of farrerol were also shown by the reduced α-SMA, NAD(P)H, p-ERK, p-Akt, mTOR, Jak2, Stat3, Bcl-2, and p38 levels, but increased OPN, occludin, ZO-1, eNOS, CaM, IP3R, and PLC levels. The antitumor effects of farrerol were evident from the reduced Bcl-2, Slug, Zeb-1, and vimentin levels but increased p27, ERK1/2, p38, caspase-9, Bax, and E-cadherin levels. Farrerol reduced α-toxin levels and increased NO production and NF-κB activity to impart antibacterial activity.
CONCLUSIONS
This review article provides a theoretical basis for further studies on farrerol, with a view to develop and utilise farrerol for treating of vascular-related diseases in the future.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Antioxidants; Chromones; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Humans; Medicine, Chinese Traditional
PubMed: 34846222
DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2021.2006723 -
Environmental Health : a Global Access... Sep 2021To conduct a systematic review to evaluate the association between residential or occupational short- and long-term exposure to odour pollution from industrial sources... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To conduct a systematic review to evaluate the association between residential or occupational short- and long-term exposure to odour pollution from industrial sources and the health status of the exposed population.
METHODS
The searches were conducted in Medline, EMBASE and Scopus in April 2021. Exposure to an environmental odour from industrial sources in population resident near the source or in workers was considered. We considered outcomes for which there was a biological plausibility, such as wheezing and asthma, cough, headache, nausea and vomiting (primary outcomes). We also included stress-related symptoms and novel outcomes (e.g. mood states). Risk of bias was evaluated using the OHAT tool. For primary outcomes, when at least 3 studies provided effect estimates by comparing exposed subjects versus not exposed, we pooled the study-specific estimates of odour-related effect using random effects models. Heterogeneity was evaluated with Higgins I.
RESULTS
Thirty studies were eligible for this review, mainly cross-sectional (n = 23). Only one study involved school-age children and two studies involved workers. Only five studies reported odour effects on objective laboratory or clinical outcomes. Animal Feeding Operations and waste were the most common industrial sources. The overall odds ratios in exposed versus not exposed population were 1.15 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.29) for headache (7 studies), 1.09 (95% CI 0.88 to 1.30) for nausea/vomiting (7 studies), and 1.27 (95% CI 1.10 to 1.44) for cough/phlegm (5 studies). Heterogeneity was a moderate concern. Overall, the body of evidence was affected by a definitely high risk of bias in exposure and outcome assessment since most studies used self-reported information.
CONCLUSIONS
Findings underline the public health importance of odour pollution for population living nearby industrial odour sources. The limited evidence for most outcomes supports the need for high quality epidemiological studies on the association between odour pollution and its effects on human health.
Topics: Air Pollution; Animals; Cross-Sectional Studies; Environmental Exposure; Humans; Industry; Occupational Exposure; Odorants
PubMed: 34551760
DOI: 10.1186/s12940-021-00774-3 -
Evidence-based Complementary and... 2021To investigate the correlation between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) body constitution and ischemic stroke (IS). (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the correlation between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) body constitution and ischemic stroke (IS).
METHODS
Literature search was conducted in databases including Wanfang database, Chongqing VIP, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Embase, and PubMed from inception to November 16, 2020. Observational studies evaluating the association between TCM body constitution and IS were included for analysis. The distribution of body constitutional types in IS patients was pooled into meta-analysis. The correlation between constitution and IS was presented by the odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI through the comparison between IS and the general population.
RESULTS
41 studies involving 11,211 participants were included. Among the nine constitution types, qi-deficiency constitution (QDC), phlegm-dampness constitution (PDC), and blood stasis constitution (BSC) are the common types, accounting for 25% [0.22, 0.29], 23% [0.20, 0.29], and 17% [0.13, 0.22], respectively, in IS patients. The proportion of PDC and QDC among IS patients is 2.34 times and 3.47 times higher than that in the general population, respectively (OR and 95% CI: 2.34 [1.39, 3.94], 3.47 [1.61, 7.50], respectively).
CONCLUSION
PDC and QDC are the common constitutions in IS patients and may have a potential correlation with the incidence of IS. Due to the low or moderate quality of included studies, more well-designed prospective studies are warranted to further evaluate the relationship between TCM constitutions and IS.
PubMed: 34257683
DOI: 10.1155/2021/5524925 -
Evidence-based Complementary and... 2021and its main ingredient nobiletin (NOB) have received widespread attention in recent years due to their antitumor effects. The antitumor effect of is related to the... (Review)
Review
and its main ingredient nobiletin (NOB) have received widespread attention in recent years due to their antitumor effects. The antitumor effect of is related to the traditional use, mainly in its Chinese medicinal properties of soothing the liver and promoting qi, resolving phlegm, and dispelling stagnation. Some studies have proved that and NOB are more effective for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is related to the syndrome of stagnation of liver qi. From the perspective of modern biomedical research, NOB has anticancer effects. Its potential molecular mechanisms include inhibition of the cell cycle, induction of apoptosis, and inhibition of angiogenesis, invasion, and migration. and NOB can also reduce the side effects of chemotherapy drugs and reverse multidrug resistance (MDR). However, more research studies are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms. The modern evidence of and NOB in breast cancer treatment has a strong connection with the traditional concepts and laws of applying in Chinese medicine (CM). As a low-toxic anticancer drug candidate, NOB and its structural changes, , and compound prescriptions will attract scientists to use advanced technologies such as genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics to study its potential anticancer effects and mechanisms. On the contrary, there are relatively few studies on the anticancer effects of and NOB . The clinical application of and NOB as new cancer treatment drugs requires verification and further anticancer mechanism research. This review aims to provide reference for the treatment of breast cancer by Chinese medicine.
PubMed: 34257674
DOI: 10.1155/2021/2847466 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2021Chinese herb medicine (CHM) is one of the most popular complementary and alternative therapies, which has been widely used to treat Refractory Pneumonia (RMPP)....
Chinese herb medicine (CHM) is one of the most popular complementary and alternative therapies, which has been widely used to treat Refractory Pneumonia (RMPP). However, the effect and safety of CHM remain controversial. Hence, we conducted this meta-analysis to evaluate whether CHM combination therapy could bring benefits to children and adolescents with RMPP. Seven databases were used for data searching through November 11, 2020 following the PRISMA checklist generally. Review Manager 5.3, Trial sequential analysis 0.9.5.10 Beta software and Stata16.0 were applied to perform data analyses. Mean difference or risk ratio was adopted to express the results, where a 95% confidence interval (CI) was applied. In general, this research enrolled 17 trials with 1,451 participants. The overall pooled results indicated that CHM was beneficial for children and adolescents with RMPP by improving the clinical efficacy rate [RR = 1.20, 95% CI (1.15, 1.25), < 0.00001], shortening antipyretic time [MD = -2.60, 95% CI (-3.06, -2.13), < 0.00001], cough disappearance time [MD = -2.77, 95% CI (-3.12, -2.42), < 0.00001], lung rale disappearance time [MD = -2.65, 95% CI (-3.15, -2.15), < 0.00001], lung X-ray infiltrates disappearance time [MD = -2.75, 95% CI (-3.33, -2.17), < 0.00001], reducing TNF-α level [MD = -5.49, 95% CI (-7.21, -3.77), < 0.00001]. Moreover, subgroup results suggested that removing heat-phlegm and toxicity therapy had more advantages in shortening antipyretic time, cough disappearance time, lung X-ray infiltrates disappearance time and reducing TNF-α level. Meanwhile promoting blood circulation therapy seemed to be better at relieving lung rale. However, regarding adverse events, the two groups displayed no statistical difference [RR = 0.97, 95% CI (0.60, 1.57), = 0.91]. Despite of the apparently positive results in relieving clinical symptoms, physical signs and reducing inflammation, it is premature to confirm the efficacy of CHM in treating RMPP because of the limitation of quality and the number of the included studies. More large-scale, double-blind, well-designed, randomized controlled trials are needed in future research.
PubMed: 34177587
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.678631 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Sep 2021Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases have become a severe threat for human health worldwide, however, optimal therapeutic options are still developed. Zhilong...
A systematic review on Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu capsule in treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases: Pharmacological actions, molecular mechanisms and clinical outcomes.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases have become a severe threat for human health worldwide, however, optimal therapeutic options are still developed. Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu capsule (ZL capsule) is mainly composed of Astragalus membranaceus, Leech, Earthworm, Cinnamomum cassia and Sargentodoxa cuneata, having functions of replenishing qi and activating blood, dispelling wind and reducing phlegm. It is an expanded application on the basis of traditional uses of above TCMs, acquiring a satisfactory curative effect on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases over twenty years.
AIM OF THE STUDY
To comprehensively summarize the main components of ZL capsule, understand the mechanisms of ZL capsule, and conclude clinical regimens of ZL capsule for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We selected network pharmacology technology to analyze main active compounds and predict underlying mechanism of ZL capsule against atherosclerosis. Molecular docking was performed to simulate the interaction pattern between the active components of ZL capsule and putative targets. Further, PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Google Scholar were used to search literatures, with the key words of "Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu capsule", "cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases", "atherosclerosis", "clinical study" and their combinations, mainly from 2000 to 2020.
RESULTS
Both network pharmacology analysis, molecular docking and animal experiments studies confirmed that mechanisms of ZL capsule plays the role of anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptosis and promoting angiogenesis in treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases by multi-components acting on multi-targets via multi-pathways. Over 1000 clinical cases were benefited from the treatment of ZL capsule, suggesting a holistic concept of "the same therapy for different myocardial and cerebral diseases".
CONCLUSIONS
For the first time, this systematic review may supply meaningful information for further studies to explore material basis and pharmacodynamics of ZL capsule and also provide a basis for sharing the "Chinese patent medicine" for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
Topics: Animals; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Humans; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Molecular Docking Simulation
PubMed: 34044079
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114234 -
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines May 2021The management of post-stroke complications plays an important role in the quality of life. Di-Tan Decoction (DTD; ) is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine. This... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The management of post-stroke complications plays an important role in the quality of life. Di-Tan Decoction (DTD; ) is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine. This study incorporated systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of DTD in post-stroke neurological disorders. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were searched from English, Chinese and Korean electronic medical databases, by including the keywords "Di-Tan Tang", "Di-Tan Decoction", "Scour Phlegm Decoction", "stroke", and "RCT. Each RCT included control (placebo, conventional therapy, or Western medicine) and experimental (DTD treatment) groups. For patients inflicted with stroke for 1-6 weeks, the outcomes of post-stroke neurological disorders were measured by scales for post-stroke symptoms and were classified as "completely healed", "markedly effective", "effective" and "ineffective". Totally, 11 RCTs (n = 490 controls and n = 502 DTD subjects) were selected from 210 articles identified in the initial search. A meta-analysis of evaluation criteria in post-stroke symptoms revealed that the overall odds ratio (ORs) for alleviating post-stroke neurological disorders were 0.30-fold lower (95% CI = 0.21-0.43) in the DTD group than the control (Western medicine) group (P < 0.000 01). Moreover, regardless of the type of stroke diagnostic scale applied (including NFA, HDS, and NIHSS), the overall post-stroke symptoms determined were less severe in the DTD group (n = 219) than the control group (n = 217). No adverse effects of DTD were observed in the 11 RCTs reviewed. All 11 studies used an appropriate method for randomization of subjects to evaluate the risk of bias (ROB), and 7 studies included allocation concealment as well as blinding of patients and practitioners. High-risk ROB was included in 6 RCTs. No significant publication bias was derived from the funnel plot. Our results indicate that the administration of DTD alone, and DTD in combination with Western medicine, exert greater efficacy for post-stroke complication therapy, than Western medicine administered alone. More rigorous and regulated studies are required to confirm the therapeutic efficacy of DTD for post-stroke neurological disorders. disorders.
Topics: Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Humans; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Nervous System Diseases; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Stroke
PubMed: 33941339
DOI: 10.1016/S1875-5364(21)60035-3 -
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine... Feb 2021To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Xuanbai Chengqi decoction (, XBCQD) plus Western Medicine (WM) in treatment of severe pneumonia with symptom pattern of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Xuanbai Chengqi decoction (, XBCQD) plus Western Medicine (WM) in treatment of severe pneumonia with symptom pattern of phlegm-heat obstructing lung.
METHODS
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effect of XBCQD on severe pneumonia with symptom pattern of phlegm-heat obstructing lung, were included in this study. Seven electronic databases were searched up to March 2019. Meta-analysis was conducted by Review Manager 5.3 software. Risk ratio (RR) and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used as effect estimation.
RESULTS
Eleven RCTs were included, involving 992 participants. Meta-analysis showed that XBCQD combined with WM achieved better effectiveness than WM alone in terms of total effective rate [RR = 1.23, 95%CI (1.16, 1.30)], clinical pulmonary infection score [CPIS, MD = -2.02, 95%CI (-2.42, -1.63)], acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ [APACHEⅡ, MD = -6.81, 95% CI (-8.26, 5.37)], mechanical ventilation time [MD = -101.41, 95%CI (-140.47, -62.34)], and lactic acid content in arterial blood [MD = -2.41, 95%CI (-2.64, -2.18)].
CONCLUSION
XBCQD combined with WM had better benefit than WM alone to the patients of severe pneumonia with the symptom pattern of phlegm-heat obstructing lung. However, due to low quality of the included studies, more rigorously designed studies were required to further evaluate the effectiveness and safety of XBCQD in the treatment of severe pneumonia with symptom pattern of phlegm-heat obstructing lung.
Topics: Drug Therapy, Combination; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Hot Temperature; Humans; Lung; Mucus; Pneumonia; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33522193
DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2021.01.003 -
Evidence-based Complementary and... 2020Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus (known as chuanbeimu in Chinese, FCB) is a famous folk medicine which has been widely used to relieve cough and eliminate phlegm for... (Review)
Review
Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus (known as chuanbeimu in Chinese, FCB) is a famous folk medicine which has been widely used to relieve cough and eliminate phlegm for thousands of years in China. The medicine originates from dried bulbs of six species of which are distributed in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. Increasing attention has been paid to FCB because of its excellent medicinal value such as being antitussive, expectorant, analgesic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative. During the past years, a large number of research studies have been conducted to investigate the phytochemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics of FCB. A range of compounds have been isolated and identified from FCB, including alkaloids, saponins, nucleosides, organic acids, terpenoids, and sterols. Among them, alkaloids as the main active ingredient have been illustrated to exert significant therapeutic effects on many diseases such as cancer, acute lung injury, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, Parkinson's disease, and diabetes. Due to the excellent medical value and low toxicity, FCB has a huge market all over the world and triggers a growing enthusiasm among researchers. However, there is still a lack of systematic review. Hence, in this work, we reviewed the FCB-based articles published in Sci Finder, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, CNKI, and other databases in the recent years. The traditional uses, sources, phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of FCB were discussed in the review, which aims to provide a reference for further development and utilization of FCB.
PubMed: 33273948
DOI: 10.1155/2020/1536534 -
International Journal of Environmental... Apr 2020Pesticide exposure may affect children's respiratory and allergic health, although results from epidemiological studies have not reached consensus. This review aims to...
Pesticide exposure may affect children's respiratory and allergic health, although results from epidemiological studies have not reached consensus. This review aims to analyze the scientific evidence on respiratory and allergic effects of exposure to agricultural pesticides in children aged up to 12 years old. The databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scielo, and Lilacs were screened to select articles published in English, Spanish, or Portuguese, and 21 articles were included in this review. Most investigations were conducted in North America (mostly in the United States), while no studies conducted in Latin America or Africa were found, despite their intensive use of pesticides. Children are exposed to pesticides through multiple pathways from the prenatal period throughout later developmental stages and may experience several respiratory effects. Most studies (79%) found positive associations with pesticide exposure and children's respiratory and allergic effects such as asthma, wheezing, coughs, acute respiratory infections, hay fever, rhinitis, eczema, chronic phlegm, and lung function impairments. Contrastingly, 21% of the studies found no associations between pesticide exposure and children's respiratory health. The vast differences among the characteristics of the studies hamper any comparison of the results. Exposure to pesticides may have several impacts on childhood respiratory health. More studies must be conducted, especially in low- and middle-income countries, preferably with comparable research protocols adapted to local realities. Efforts should be made to develop comprehensive risk mitigation strategies and behavioral interventions to reduce children's exposure to pesticides used in agriculture and respiratory health effects, and to ensure healthy childhood growth.
Topics: Adolescent; Africa; Animals; Child; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Environmental Exposure; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Longitudinal Studies; Male; North America; Nutrition Surveys; Pesticides; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 32316194
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17082740