Neuroprotective effects of Blume on promoting M2 microglial polarization by inhibiting JNK/TLR4/T3JAM/NF-κB signaling after transient ischemic stroke in rats.

Background: Blume, also called Tian Ma (TM), has been used to treat stroke for centuries. However, its effects on inflammation in acute cerebral ischemic injury and underlying mechanisms involved in microglial polarization remain unknown. The present study explored the effects of the TM extract on the modulation of microglial M1/M2 polarization 2 days after transient cerebral ischemia.

Neuroprotective Effects of Miq against Mitochondria-Related Apoptosis by the Interactions between Upregulated p38 MAPK Signaling and Downregulated JNK Signaling in the Subacute Phase of Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion in Rats.

Apoptosis in the penumbra region is the major cell death mechanism occurring during ischemia-reperfusion injury's early phase. Here, we evaluated how the Miq (AOM) affects mitochondria-related apoptosis 3 days after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) and examined the mechanisms underlying the regulation of MAPK-mediated mitochondria-related apoptotic signaling in the peri-infarct cortex in rats. The rats were administered the AOM extract intraperitoneally at doses of 0.

Medicinal Herbs and Their Derived Ingredients Protect against Cognitive Decline in In Vivo Models of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has pathological hallmarks including amyloid beta (Aβ) plaque formation. Currently approved single-target drugs cannot effectively ameliorate AD. Medicinal herbs and their derived ingredients (MHDIs) have multitarget and multichannel properties, engendering exceptional AD treatment outcomes.

Preserving residual renal function: Is interdialytic acupuncture an add-on option? A case series report.

Background: Whether acupuncture therapy contributes to preserving residual renal function (RRF) remains largely unknown. This case series demonstrated the potential beneficial effects of acupuncture for preserving RRF in five patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis (HD) treatment.

Participants: HD patients received eight sessions of weekly 30 min interdialytic acupuncture (Inter-A) at ten selected acupoints, namely Yintang (GV29), Yingxiang (LI20), Shuijin (Tung's Acupuncture), Lianquan (CV23), Shangqu (KI17), Tianshu (ST25), Siman (KI14), Hegu (LI4), Zusanli (ST36) and Sanyingjao (SP6).

Alpinia oxyphylla Miq extract reduces cerebral infarction by downregulating JNK-mediated TLR4/T3JAM- and ASK1-related inflammatory signaling in the acute phase of transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats.

Background: Post-ischemic inflammation is a crucial component in stroke pathology in the early phase of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Inflammation caused by microglia, astrocytes, and necrotic cells, produces pro-inflammatory mediators and exacerbates cerebral I/R injury. This study evaluated the effects of the Alpinia oxyphylla Miq [Yi Zhi Ren (YZR)] extract on cerebral infarction at 1 day after 90 min of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) and investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-mediated inflammatory cascades in the penumbral cortex.

Angelica sinensis extract promotes neuronal survival by enhancing p38 MAPK-mediated hippocampal neurogenesis and dendritic growth in the chronic phase of transient global cerebral ischemia in rats.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (ASD), commonly known as Dang Gui, is a popular Chinese herb that has long been used to treat ischemic stroke. However, the effects of ASD in chronic cerebral ischemia and its underlying mechanisms still remain unclear.

Effect of on House Dust Mite-Induced Mouse Allergic Asthma via Regulating Amino Acid Metabolic Disorder and Gut Dysbiosis.

Chinese herbal remedies have long been used for enhancing immunity and treating asthma. However, the evidence-based efficacy remains to be supported. This study aimed to explore the potential bio-signatures in allergic asthma and the effect of (YGW), a traditional Chinese herbal prescription, on dust mite-induced mouse allergic asthma.

Intradialytic hypotension: Is intradialytic acupuncture a complementary option? A case report.

Background: Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is a common complication during hemodialysis (HD) and is positively associated with either poor quality of life or mortality. The present case report described the effect of intradialytic acupuncture (IA) in decreasing the occurrence of IDH.

Methods: A 70-year-old female with diabetic nephropathy had been receiving regular dialysis twice weekly since end-stage renal disease was diagnosed.

Acorus tatarinowii Schott extract reduces cerebral edema caused by ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats: involvement in regulation of astrocytic NKCC1/AQP4 and JNK/iNOS-mediated signaling.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the Acorus tatarinowii Schott [Shi Chang Pu (SCP)] extract administered at the start of 2 h of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo), followed by 3 d of reperfusion, and to determine mechanisms involved in anti-edema effects in the penumbra of the cerebral cortex.

Method: Rats were intraperitoneally administered the SCP extract at a dose of 0.25 g/kg (SCP-0.

Effects and Relative Factors of Adjunctive Chinese Medicine Therapy on Survival of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study in Taiwan.

Some patients with cancer use adjunctive Chinese medicine, which might improve the quality of life. This study aims to investigate the effects and relative factors of adjunctive Chinese medicine on survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients at different stages. The study population was 23 581 newly diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma patients and received surgery from 2004 to 2010 in Taiwan.

Angelica sinensis extract protects against ischemia-reperfusion injury in the hippocampus by activating p38 MAPK-mediated p90RSK/p-Bad and p90RSK/CREB/BDNF signaling after transient global cerebral ischemia in rats.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, commonly known as Dang Gui (DG), is one of the most popular traditional Chinese herbal medicines for the treatment of stroke. However, the effects of DG on transient global cerebral ischemia (GCI) and its precise mechanisms remain unclear.

Qi-Wei-Du-Qi-Wan and its major constituents exert an anti-asthmatic effect by inhibiting mast cell degranulation.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: In Asia, Qi-Wei-Du-Qi-Wan (QWDQW) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been used to treat chest tightness, cough, shortness of breath, night sweats, frequent urination and asthma. QWDQW is recorded in Yi Zong Yi Ren Pian (Medical Physician's Compilation), which was written by Yang Cheng Liu during the Qing Dynasty.

Aim Of The Study: The traditional Chinese medicine QWDQW is composed of 7 ingredients and has been used in the treatment of asthma in Asia for hundreds of years.

Erianin protects against high glucose-induced oxidative injury in renal tubular epithelial cells.

Erianin is the major bibenzyl compound found in Dendrobium chrysotoxum Lindl. The current study was designed to investigate the protective effects of erianin on high glucose-induced injury in cultured renal tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52E cells) and determine the possible mechanisms for its effects. NRK-52E cells were pretreated with erianin (5, 10, 25 or 50 nmol/L) for 1 h followed by further exposure to high glucose (30 mmol/L, HG) for 48 h.

Ferulic Acid Exerts Anti-apoptotic Effects against Ischemic Injury by Activating HSP70/Bcl-2- and HSP70/Autophagy-Mediated Signaling after Permanent Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Rats.

This study assessed the anti-apoptotic effects of the administration of ferulic acid (FrA) in rats 30 min before middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) followed by 3 d of ischemia and the involvement of 70 kDa heat shock protein (HSP70)-mediated signaling in the penumbral cortex. Our results demonstrated that FrA pretreatment at doses of 80 mg/kg (FrA-80 mg) and 100 mg/kg (FrA-100 mg) effectively ameliorated neurological functions and reduced the numbers of cytochrome c-, cleaved caspase-3-, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells in the penumbral cortex 3 d after ischemia. Moreover, FrA-80 mg and FrA-100 mg pretreatment markedly upregulated cytosolic HSP70, Beclin-1, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) A/B-II and autophagy-related protein 5 (Atg5) expression; cytosolic and mitochondrial X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) expression and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio.

Gigantol has Protective Effects against High Glucose-Evoked Nephrotoxicity in Mouse Glomerulus Mesangial Cells by Suppressing ROS/MAPK/NF-κB Signaling Pathways.

Gigantol is a bibenzyl compound derived from several medicinal orchids. This biologically active compound has shown promising therapeutic potential against diabetic cataracts, but whether this compound exerts beneficial effects on the other diabetic microvascular complications remains unclear. This study was carried out to examine effects of gigantol on high glucose-induced renal cell injury in cultured mouse kidney mesangial cells (MES-13).

Ferulic acid ameliorates cerebral infarction by activating Akt/mTOR/4E‑BP1/Bcl‑2 anti‑apoptotic signaling in the penumbral cortex following permanent cerebral ischemia in rats.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of ferulic acid (FerA) administered immediately following the onset of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) and then 7 days of ischemia, and also to explore the involvement of protein kinase B (Akt)‑induced signaling in the penumbral cortex. Immediately following the onset of MCAo, FerA was intravenously administered to rats at a dose of 60 mg/kg (FerA‑60 mg), 80 mg/kg (FerA‑80 mg), or 100 mg/kg (FerA‑100 mg). FerA‑80 mg and FerA‑100 mg effectively ameliorated cerebral infarction and neurological deficits 7 days following permanent cerebral ischemia.

Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan, a traditional Chinese medicine, alleviated allergic airway hypersensitivity and inflammatory cell infiltration in a chronic asthma mouse model.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: In Asia, Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan (JGSQW) has been used for hundreds of years to treat asthma.

Aim Of The Study: The traditional Chinese medicine JGSQW is composed of Rehmannia glutinosa, Dioscorea opposita, Cornus officinalis, Poria cocos, Paeonia suffruticosa, Alisma orientalis, Aconitum carmichaelii and Cinnamomum cassia. However, the immunological mechanism underlying the effect of JGSQW treatment on asthma remains unclear.

Analogous corticosteroids, 9A and EK100, derived from solid-state-cultured mycelium of Antrodia camphorata inhibit proinflammatory cytokine expression in macrophages.

Antrodia camphorata mycelium is used in traditional Chinese medicine in Taiwan. The wild-type mycelium is rare and expensive, so a solid-state-cultured mycelium of A. camphorata (SCMAC) has been developed.

Angelica sinensis Exerts Angiogenic and Anti-apoptotic Effects Against Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Activating p38MAPK/HIF-1[Formula: see text]/VEGF-A Signaling in Rats.

This study evaluated the effects of Angelica sinensis extract [Dang Gui (DG)] administered before 60[Formula: see text]min of middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by 3[Formula: see text]d of reperfusion and investigated the involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1[Formula: see text] signaling in the cortical ischemic penumbra. DG was intraperitoneally administered at a dose of 0.25[Formula: see text]g/kg (DG-0.

Clinical efficacy and IL-17 targeting mechanism of Indigo naturalis as a topical agent in moderate psoriasis.

Background: Indigo naturalis is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) ingredient long-recognized as a therapy for several inflammatory conditions, including psoriasis. However, its mechanism is unknown due to lack of knowledge about the responsible chemical entity. We took a different approach to this challenge by investigating the molecular profile of Indigo naturalis treatment and impacted pathways.

Molecular pathways related to the longevity promotion and cognitive improvement of Cistanche tubulosa in Drosophila.

Background: The aging process, including physical dysfunction and age-related memory impairment (AMI), are considered to be correlated with cumulative oxidative damages and insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway.

Purpose: The present study was to elucidate the in vivo effects on delaying aging and ameliorating AMI and underlying molecular mechanisms of Cistanche tubulosa (CT), a herb used in traditional Chinese medicine to improve sexual function and treat kidney dysfunction.

Methods: The flies, treated and untreated with CT, were observed for lifespan, resistance to oxidative stress with HO or paraquat, starvation assay, cognitive behaviors with T-maze, and transcript levels of target genes with quantitative RT-PCR.

Luteolin Attenuates Airway Mucus Overproduction via Inhibition of the GABAergic System.

Airway mucus overproduction is one of the most common symptoms of asthma that causes severe clinical outcomes in patients. Despite the effectiveness of general asthma therapies, specific treatments that prevent mucus overproduction in asthma patients remain lacking. Recent studies have found that activation of GABAA receptors (GABAAR) is important for promoting mucus oversecretion in lung airway epithelia.

Development of Alginate Microspheres Containing Chuanxiong for Oral Administration to Adult Zebrafish.

Oral administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) by patients is the common way to treat health problems. Zebrafish emerges as an excellent animal model for the pharmacology investigation. However, the oral delivery system of TCM in zebrafish has not been established so far.

Luteolin inhibits GABAA receptors in HEK cells and brain slices.

Modulation of the A type γ-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABAAR) is one of the major drug targets for neurological and psychological diseases. The natural flavonoid compound luteolin (2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)- 5,7-dihydroxy-4-chromenone) has been reported to have antidepressant, antinociceptive, and anxiolytic-like effects, which possibly involve the mechanisms of modulating GABA signaling. However, as yet detailed studies of the pharmacological effects of luteolin are still lacking, we investigated the effects of luteolin on recombinant and endogenous GABAAR-mediated current responses by electrophysiological approaches.

Ferulic Acid Administered at Various Time Points Protects against Cerebral Infarction by Activating p38 MAPK/p90RSK/CREB/Bcl-2 Anti-Apoptotic Signaling in the Subacute Phase of Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ferulic acid (FA) administered at various time points before or after 30 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) followed by 7 d of reperfusion and to examine the involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways in the cortical penumbra.

Methods: FA was intravenously administered to rats at a dose of 100 mg/kg 24 h before ischemia (B-FA), 2 h before ischemia (P-FA), immediately after ischemic insult (I-FA), 2 h after reperfusion (R-FA), or 24 h after reperfusion (D-FA).

Results: Our study results indicated that P-FA, I-FA, and R-FA effectively reduced cerebral infarct areas and neurological deficits.