Zhi-Xiu Lin

Are acupoints specific for diseases? A systematic review of the randomized controlled trials with sham acupuncture controls

BackgroundThe results of many clinical trials and experimental studies regarding acupoint specificity are contradictory. This review aims to investigate whether a difference in efficacy exists between ordinary acupuncture on specific acupoints and sham acupuncture controls on non-acupoints or on irrelevant acupoints.MethodsDatabases including Medline, Embase, AMED and Chinese Biomedical Database were searched to identify randomized controlled trials published between 1998 and 2009 that compared traditional body acupuncture on acupoints with sham acupuncture controls on irrelevant acupoints or non-acupoints with the same needling depth. The Cochrane Collaborations tool for assessing risk of bias was employed to address the quality of the included trials.ResultsTwelve acupuncture clinical trials with sham acupuncture controls were identified and included in the review. The conditions treated varied. Half of the included trials had positive results on the primary outcomes and demonstrated acupoint specificity. However, among those six trials (total sample size: 985) with low risk of bias, five trials (sample size: 940) showed no statistically significant difference between proper and sham acupuncture treatments.ConclusionThis review did not demonstrate the existence of acupoint specificity. Further clinical trials with larger sample sizes, optimal acupuncture treatment protocols and appropriate sham acupuncture controls are required to resolve this important issue.Cucumber(Cucumis sativus L.)scultivation counts for the largest share in protected cultivation of vegetable crops in China. It is also a significant industry for farmers making fortune. In this paper, the latest research advances achieved during‘The Eleventh Five-year Plan’in cucumber genetics and breeding were reviewed. Notable progress was made during the past five years in many aspects, such as innovation of breeding materials, appraisal and screen of germplasm, selective breeding of new varieties, studies on genetic law, molecular biology, tissue culture, establishment of transgenic system and transgenic research, etc. The existing problems were analyzed and the research work for next step was also prospected.Research on pepper (Capsicum spp.) genetics and breeding were supported by the programs of national,ministries,and provincial governments during the‘Eleventh Five-year Plan’period.Great progress has been made on the identification and evaluation of germplasm resources,breeding technology,innovation of breeding material,and new variety selection,especially on applying molecular marker technology in germplasm diversity,genetic analysis,assistant selection,etc.areas.Male sterile peeper research has also made great progress.Processing breeding was paid much attention.A group of new varieties has been developed and performance the diversity of types.At present,the major existing problems are the relatively narrow genetic resources,insufficient creative strength,and repeated research activities.This paper prospects the research focus of pepper genetic breeding.

Baicalein Protects against 6‑OHDA-Induced Neurotoxicity through Activation of Keap1/Nrf2/HO‑1 and Involving PKCα and PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathways

Baicalein, one of the major flavonoids found in Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, displays neuroprotective effects on experimental models of Parkinsons disease (PD) in vitro and in vivo. Although the antioxidative and/or anti-inflammatory activity of baicalein likely contributes to these neuroprotective effects, other modes of action remain largely uncharacterized. In the present study, baicalein pretreatment significantly prevented cells from 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced damage by attenuating cellular apoptosis. However, post-treatment with baicalein did not show any restorative effect against 6-OHDA-induced cellular damage. We found that baicalein increased transcriptional factor NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/hemo oxygenase 1(HO-1) protein expression and decreased Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) in a time- and concentration-dependent manner in PC12 cells. In addition, baicalein induced Nrf2 nuclear translocation and enhanced antioxidant response element (ARE) transcriptional activity, which conferred cytoprotection against 6-OHDA-induced oxidative injury. Moreover, we demonstrated that cytoprotective effects of baicalein could be attenuated by Nrf2 siRNA transfection and the HO-1 inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin (Znpp) as well as the proteasome inhibitor MG132. Furthermore, PKCα and AKT protein phosphorylation were up-regulated by baicalein pretreatment, and selective inhibitors targeted to PKC, PI3K, and AKT could block the cytoprotective effects of baicalein. Taken together, our results indicate that baicalein prevented PC12 cells from 6-OHDA-induced oxidative damage via the activation of Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1, and it also involves the PKCα and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Ultimately, the neuroprotective effects of baicalein may endue baicalein as a promising candidate for the prevention of PD.

Anti-inflammatory activity of patchouli alcohol isolated from Pogostemonis Herba in animal models

Pogostemonis Herba has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of inflammatory disorders. Patchouli alcohol (PA), a tricyclic sesquiterpene isolated from Pogostemonis Herba, is known to possess a variety of pharmacological activities. The present study aimed to investigate the in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of PA using two common inflammatory animal models i.e., xylene-induced ear edema in mice and carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. The degree of edema in both inflammatory animals, as well as the protein and mRNA expression of some inflammatory mediators including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and nitric oxide (NO) in the hind paw of carrageenan-treated rats were measured. Results showed that PA (10-40 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the ear edema induced by xylene in mice and the paw edema induced by carrageenan in rats. In addition, treatment with PA (10-40 mg/kg) also dose-dependently decreased the production of TNF-α, IL-1β, PGE₂ and NO in the hind paw of carrageenan-treated rats. Furthermore, PA treatment also suppressed the mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the hind paw of carrageenan-treated rats. These results suggest that PA possesses potent anti-inflammatory activity, which may be mediated, at least in part, by down-regulating the mRNA expression of a panel of inflammatory mediators including TNF-α, IL-1β, iNOS and COX-2.

Angiogenic effect of saponin extract from Panax notoginseng on HUVECs in vitro and zebrafish in vivo

Angiogenesis plays an important role in a wide range of physiological processes such as wound healing and fetal development. In fact, many diseases are associated with imbalance in the regulation of angiogenesis in which there is either excessive or insufficient blood vessel formation. Panax notoginseng, a blood circulation invigorating herb, is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat circulation‐related diseases. However, the biological effects of saponin extract from Panax notoginseng (PNS) on angiogenesis and the underlying mechanisms are yet to be fully elucidated. This investigation describes the angiogenic effects of PNS on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro and zebrafish in vivo. The 2,3‐bis(2‐methoxy‐4‐nitro‐5‐sulfophenyl)5[(phenylamino)carbonyl]2H‐tetrazolium hydroxide (XTT) assay and microscopic cell counting demonstrated that the extract was able to stimulate the proliferation of HUVECs. Meanwhile, the numbers of invaded cells and tube branches were significantly increased in PNS treatment groups. PNS was also shown to promote changes in the subintestinal vessels, a feature of angiogenesis, in zebrafish. In addition, by using real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), PNS was found to enhance vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and kinase‐domain region/fetal liver kinase‐1 in mice (KDR/Flk‐1) mRNA expression, and the PNS‐induced HUVECs proliferation could be abolished by a KDR/Flk‐1 inhibitor. Furthermore, the proliferation of HUVECs induced by PNS was significantly attenuated by inhibitors of PI3K‐Akt‐eNOS. All the results suggest that PNS can promote angiogenesis, and that the proangiogenic effects involve the VEGF‐KDR/Flk‐1 and PI3K‐Akt‐eNOS signaling pathways. Copyright

Ethanolic extract of fructus alpinia oxyphylla protects against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced damage of PC12 cells in vitro and dopaminergic neurons in zebrafish

In an attempt to understand the neuroprotective effect of Fructus Alpinia oxyphylla (AOE) and to elucidate its underlying mechanism of action, the ethanolic extract of AOE was investigated using zebrafish and PC12 cell models. AOE prevented and restored 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced dopaminergic (DA) neuron degeneration and attenuated a deficit of locomotor activity in a zebrafish (Danio rerio) model of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Treatment with AOE increased the viability of 6-OHDA-treated PC12 cells in vitro in a dose-dependent manner by attenuating cellular apoptosis. However, protocatechuic acid (PCA) and chrysin, two known polyphenol components of AOE, could not reproduce the neuroprotective activity of AOE in the PD zebrafish or PC12 cell models. A mechanistic study found that the protective effect of AOE against 6-OHDA-induced neuronal injury involved anti-inflammatory action (down-regulation of gene expression of IL-1β and TNF-α) and anti-oxidative action (inhibition of NO production and iNOS expression in PC12 cells). Moreover, the PI3K-AKT pathway might be part of the mechanism of neuroprotection of AOE. The results of this research are expected to provide a scientific rationale for the use of AOE in the treatment of PD. However, it is important that the active components that contribute to the neuroprotective action of AOE are identified and characterized.

Protective Effect of Isorhynchophylline Against β-Amyloid-Induced Neurotoxicity in PC12 Cells

Beta-amyloid peptide (Aβ), a major protein component of senile plaques, has been considered as a critical cause in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Modulation of the Aβ-induced neurotoxicity has emerged as a possible therapeutic approach to ameliorate the onset and progression of AD. The present study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of isorhynchophylline, an oxindole alkaloid isolated from a Chinese herb Uncaria rhynchophylla, on Aβ-induced neurotoxicity in cultured rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. The results showed that pretreatment with isorhynchophylline significantly elevated cell viability, decreased the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, increased the level of glutathione, and stabilized mitochondrial membrane potential in Aβ25-35-treated PC12 cells. In addition, isorhynchophylline significantly suppressed the formation of DNA fragmentation and the activity of caspase-3 and moderated the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax. These results indicate that isorhynchophylline exerts a neuroprotective effect against Aβ25-35-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells, at least in part, via inhibiting oxidative stress and suppressing the mitochondrial pathway of cellular apoptosis.

Quercetin deformable liposome: Preparation and efficacy against ultraviolet B induced skin damages in vitro and in vivo

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has deleterious effects on cells through direct damage to DNA or through increasing generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The flavonol quercetin (Qu) provides cellular protection against UV radiation and the current investigation was carried out to develop a deformable liposome formulation of Qu to enhance its delivery into human skin and to improve its anti-UVB effect. The influence of surfactants (including Span 20, Tween 80 and sodium cholate) on the properties of Qu deformable liposomes was investigated. Liposomes composed of Qu, phosphatidylcholine (PC), cholesterol (Chol), and Tween 80 showed high entrapment efficiencies (80.41±4.22%), small particle sizes (132±14nm), high elasticity (10.48±0.71), and prolonged drug release. The cell viability in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells increased to 89.89±4.5% at 24h and 78.8±3.19% at 48h following treatment with Qu defomable liposomes. The ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA) level were also reduced. The penetration rate was 3.8-fold greater than that of the Qu suspension. Moreover, the edema and inflammation was alleviated by Qu deformable liposomes. These results showed the potential of deformable liposomes to enhance the anti-UVB effects of Qu both in vitro and in vivo.

Bioassay-Guided Isolation of Neuroprotective Compounds from Uncaria rhynchophylla against Beta-Amyloid-Induced Neurotoxicity.

Uncaria rhynchophylla is a component herb of many Chinese herbal formulae for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Previous study in our laboratory has demonstrated that an ethanol extract of Uncaria rhynchophylla ameliorated cognitive deficits in a mouse model of Alzheimers disease induced by D-galactose. However, the active ingredients of Uncaria rhynchophylla responsible for the anti-Alzheimers disease activity have not been identified. This study aims to identify the active ingredients of Uncaria rhynchophylla by a bioassay-guided fractionation approach and explore the acting mechanism of these active ingredients by using a well-established cellular model of Alzheimers disease, beta-amyloid- (Aβ-) induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells. The results showed that six alkaloids, namely, corynoxine, corynoxine B, corynoxeine, isorhynchophylline, isocorynoxeine, and rhynchophylline were isolated from the extract of Uncaria rhynchophylla. Among them, rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline significantly decreased Aβ-induced cell death, intracellular calcium overloading, and tau protein hyperphosphorylation in PC12 cells. These results suggest that rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline are the major active ingredients responsible for the protective action of Uncaria rhynchophylla against Aβ-induced neuronal toxicity, and their neuroprotective effect may be mediated, at least in part, by inhibiting intracellular calcium overloading and tau protein hyperphosphorylation.

The anti-cancer agent SU4312 unexpectedly protects against MPP(+) -induced neurotoxicity via selective and direct inhibition of neuronal NOS.

SU4312, a potent and selective inhibitor of VEGF receptor‐2 (VEGFR‐2), has been designed to treat cancer. Recent studies have suggested that SU4312 can also be useful in treating neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, we assessed neuroprotection by SU4312 against 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+)‐induced neurotoxicity and further explored the underlying mechanisms.

Protective effects of pogostone from Pogostemonis Herba against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats

We examined the protective effect of pogostone (PO), a chemical constituent isolated from Pogostemonis Herba, on the ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Administration of PO at doses of 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg body weight prior to ethanol ingestion effectively protected the stomach from ulceration. The gastric lesions were significantly ameliorated by all doses of PO as compared to the vehicle group. Pre-treatment with PO prevented the oxidative damage and the decrease of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) content. In addition, PO pretreatment markedly increased the mucosa levels of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and decreased gastric malonaldehyde (MDA), relative to the vehicle group. In the mechanistic study, significant elevation of non-protein-sulfhydryl (NP-SH) was observed in the gastric mucosa pretreated by PO. Analysis of serum cytokines indicated that PO pretreatment obviously elevated the decrease of interleukin-10 (IL-10) level, while markedly mitigated the increment of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) secretions in ethanol-induced rats. Taken together, these results strongly indicate that PO could exert a gastro-protective effect against gastric ulceration, and the underlying mechanism might be associated with the stimulation of PGE2, improvement of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory status, as well as preservation of NP-SH.