[Visual acupotomy intervention mitigates pain reaction by improving intervertebral disc degeneration and inhibiting apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells in rabbits with cervical spondylosis].

Objective: To investigate the effect of visual acupotomy intervention on intervertebral disc degeneration, nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis and expression of apoptosis related proteins in rabbits with cervical spondylosis (CS), so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of CS.

Methods: A total of 48 male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into blank control, model, acupotomy and medication (meloxicam) groups, with 12 rabbits in each group. The neck type CS model was established by forcing the rabbit to make a neck flexion for 5 hours in a restrained chamber, once daily for 12 weeks.

Cofilin Inhibition by Limk1 Reduces Rod Formation and Cell Apoptosis after Ischemic Stroke.

Cofilin, a cytoskeletal actin severing protein, is essential for the initiation phase of apoptosis. The formation of cofilin rods (containing 1:1 cofilin:actin) has been studied in cultured mammalian neurons under conditions of excessive glutamate, ATP depletion (ATP-D) or oxidative stress. These conditions simulate the pathologies occurring during ischemic stroke.

Anti-angiogenic effect of seed extract and .

The present study aimed to detect the impact of the ethanol extract of the seed (EELC) on angiogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). A chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay was used to detect the anti-angiogenic activity of EELC . , the effect of EELC on the proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of HUVECs was determined by an MTT assay, a wound healing assay and a tube formation assay, respectively.

Ethanol extract of Antrodia camphorata inhibits proliferation of HCT-8 human colorectal cancer cells by arresting cell cycle progression and inducing apoptosis.

Antrodia camphorata (AC) is well known in Taiwan as a traditional Chinese medicine, with a long history of use in treating cancer and inflammation. Previous studies have revealed that AC exhibits anticancer effects in various cancer cell lines. However, the inhibitory influence of AC on colorectal cancer (CRC) cell growth and survival remains unknown.

Pien Tze Huang Gan Bao attenuates carbon tetrachloride‑induced hepatocyte apoptosis in rats, associated with suppression of p53 activation and oxidative stress.

Pien Tze Huang Gan Bao (PZH‑GB), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used for thousands of years as a protective remedy effective against liver injury induced by excessive alcohol and smoking. The present study aimed to evaluate the protective effects and potential mechanisms of PZH‑GB against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‑induced hepatic injury. Rats were pre‑treated with silymarin (50 mg/kg) or different doses of PZH‑GB (150, 300 or 600 mg/kg) orally administered for 7 days.

Pien Tze Huang Gan Bao ameliorates carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic injury, oxidative stress and inflammation in rats.

Liver damage results from a variety of insults, including hepatitis and chemical toxicity from alcohol, drugs and other toxins. The present study evaluated the hepatoprotective effects and potential mechanisms of action of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Pien Tze Huang Gan Bao (GB) in a rat model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl)-induced liver injury. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six different groups: i) Control, ii) CCl injury model and groups treated with iii) silymarin as a positive drug control, iv) 150 mg/kg GB, v) 300 mg/kg GB and vi) 600 mg/kg GB.

THE HERBAL MIXTURE XIAO-CHAI-HU TANG (XCHT) INDUCES APOPTOSIS OF HUMAN HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA HUH7 CELLS AND .

Background: Xiao-Chai-Hu Tang (XCHT) is an extract of seven herbs with anticancer properties, but its mechanism of action is unknown. In this study, we evaluated XCHT-treated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects.

Materials And Methods: Using a hepatic cancer xenograft model, we investigated the efficacy of XCHT against tumor growth by evaluating tumor volume and weight, as well as measuring apoptosis and cellular proliferation within the tumor.

Artemisia capillaris formula inhibits hepatic steatosis via an miR‑122‑induced decrease in fatty acid synthase expression in vivo and in vitro.

Non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a widespread health concern, and there is currently insufficient understanding regarding its pathogenesis and treatment. The present study aimed to explore the effects of Artemisia capillaris formula (ACF) on high‑fat diet‑induced hepatic steatosis and fatty acid‑induced intracellular lipid accumulation, by micro (mi)RNA regulation. A total of 72 Sprague‑Dawley rats were divided into six groups (n=12/group).

Opposing needling promotes behavior recovery and exerts neuroprotection via the cAMP/PKA/CREB signal transduction pathway in transient MCAO rats.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the cyclic adenosine 3',5'‑monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A(PKA)/cAMP‑responsive element binding protein (CREB) signal transduction pathway triggered by γ‑aminobutyric acid class B (GABA(B)) receptor activation is involved in neuroprotection against ischemia and behavioral recovery induced by opposing needling (ON). A total of 80 rats were randomly divided into four groups: A sham operation group, an ischemia group, an ON group and an ON group effectively inhibited by the GABA(B) receptor antagonist, CGP35384 (n=20/group). The behavior of the rats was assessed by their neurological deficit score, whereas the impairment of gait was examined using the CatWalk system.

miRNA Regulation Network Analysis in Qianliening Capsule Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate the molecular mechanism by which Qianliening capsule (QC) treats benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods.

Inhibition of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Total Alkaloids of Rubus alceifolius Poir Involves Suppression of Hedgehog Signaling.

Objective: We evaluated the effects of total alkaloids of Rubus alceifolius Poir (TARAP) on the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and furthermore investigated the possible molecular mechanisms mediating its anticancer activity.

Methods: We implanted nude mice with human HCC HepG2 cells and fed them with vehicle (physiological saline) or 3 g/kg/day dose of TARAP 5 days per week for 21 days. We determined the in vitro effect of TARAP on the migration and invasion of HepG2 cells by transwell assay.

Anti-proliferative effects of qianliening capsules on prostatic hyperplasia in vitro and in vivo.

Previous studies by our group showed that Qianliening capsules (QC), a clinically proven effective traditional Chinese formulation that has long been used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is capable of inhibiting BPH in vivo and in vitro via the promotion of apoptosis, suppression of the EGFR/STAT3 signaling pathway and regulating the expression of sex hormones as well as their receptors. However, the mechanism of its anti-BPH activity has remained to be fully elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanism underlying the anti-proliferative effect of QC in vivo and in vitro.

Bear bile powder inhibits angiogenesis in vivo and in vitro.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of bear bile powder (BBP) on angiogenesis, and investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Methods: A chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay was used to evaluate the angiogensis in vivo. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with 0, 0.

Qianliening capsules influence the apoptosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia epithelial-1 cells by regulating the extracellular matrix.

The present study investigated whether Qianliening capsules (QC) affected the apoptosis of benign prostatic hyperplastia epithelial (BPH‑1) cells by regulating the extracellular matrix (ECM). The levels of fibronectin (FN) and collagen IV were determined in the culture medium of BPH‑1 cells maintained in normal medium and of BPH‑1 cells maintained in an environment rich in FN and collagen IV using an enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were performed to determine the mRNA and protein expression levels of FN, collagen IV, B‑cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‑2), Bcl‑2‑associated X protein (Bax) and cyclin D1, respectively.

Clinical study on Kangquan Recipe (康泉方) for benign prostatic hyperplasia patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To observe the effectiveness and safety of Kangquan Recipe (康泉方, KQR) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients.

Methods: One hundred and six BPH patients were randomly assigned to the treatment group (53 cases) and the control group (53 cases) according to a random number table. The treatment group was given KQR orally; the control group was given cernilton orally.

Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease with Total Alkaloids in Rubus aleaefolius Poir through Regulation of Fat Metabolism.

Total alkaloids in Rubus aleaefolius Poir (TARAP) is a folk medicinal herb that has been used clinically in China to treat nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) for many years. However, the mechanism of its anti-NAFLD effect is largely unknown. In this study, we developed a NAFLD rat model by supplying a modified high-fat diet (mHFD) ad libitum for 8 weeks and evaluated the therapeutic effect of TARAP in NAFLD rats as well as the underlying molecular mechanism.

Inhibition of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway by Qianliening capsules suppresses the growth and induces the apoptosis of human prostate cells.

The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway is one of the main growth factor‑mediated signal transduction pathways and is closely associated with the occurrence and development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Qianliening capsules (QC) have significant therapeutic effects on BPH; however, the precise mechanism underlying its anti‑BPH activity remains to be elucidated. To further elucidate the molecular mechanism of the therapeutic effect of QC on BPH, the present study used epidermal growth factor (EGF), which has a role in the pathogenesis of BPH, to stimulate the growth of human prostate WPMY‑1 cells and activate the STAT3 pathway in the WPMY‑1 cells.

Total alkaloids of Rubus alceifolius Poir inhibit tumor angiogenesis through suppression of the Notch signaling pathway in a mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Angiogenesis, which has a critical role in human tumor growth and development, is tightly regulated by the Notch signaling pathway. Total alkaloids are active components of the plant Rubus alceifolius Poir, which is used for the treatment of various types of cancer. A previous study by our group showed that the total alkaloids of Rubus alceifolius Poir (TARAP) induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell apoptosis through the activation of the mitochondria-dependent pathway in vitro and in vivo, as well as inhibited angiogenesis in a chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane model.

Treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia with Croton membranaceus in an experimental animal model.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Croton membranaceus leaf extracts are used in the Bahamas to aromatize tobacco. In Nigeria it is used to improve digestion and in Ghana, the root extract is used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Despite claims of efficacy no data exists to support this.

[Effect of bear bile powder on STAT3 pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma xenograft].

Objective: To observe the effect of bear bile powder (BBP) on the STAT3 pathway and its downstream target genes of nude mice hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) xenograft, and to explore its mechanism for treating HCC.

Methods: The subcutaneous xenograft model was established using HepG2 cells. When the subcutaneous transplanted tumor was formed, naked mice were randomly divided into two groups, the BBP group and the control group.

[A system review of randomized controlled trials on treating chronic stable angina by rhodiola].

Objective: To systematically assess the efficacy and safety of Rhodiola in treating chronic stable angina pectoris.

Methods: Our group searched the Cochrane library, PubMed, Embase, Chinese biomedical literature database (CBM), VIP database (VIP), Chinese Journal Full-text Database (CNKI) for the literature published in English and Chinese till April 2013. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included on the therapeutic effect of Rhodiola or Rhodiola plus conventional Western medicine in comparison with the conventional Western medicine treatment on stable angina.

Total alkaloids of Rubus alceifolius Poir shows anti-angiogenic activity in vivo and in vitro.

Total alkaloids is an active ingredient of the natural plant Rubus alceifolius Poir, commonly used for the treatment of various cancers. Antitumor effects may be mediated through anti-angiogenic mechanisms. As such, the goal of the present study was to investigate and evaluate the effect of total alkaloids in Rubus alceifolius Poir (TARAP) on tumor angiogenesis and investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of TARAP action in vivo and in vitro.

Protective effects and mechanisms of total alkaloids of Rubus alceaefolius Poir on non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats.

The plant Rubus alceaefolius Poir is used as a hepatic protectant in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The aim of the present study was to confirm the protective effect of the total alkaloids of Rubus alceaefolius Poir (TARAP) on the liver and to evaluate the potential molecular mechanisms associated with adipocytokines underlying non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in rats. To generate the NAFLD model, Sprague-Dawley rats were administered a high‑fat diet and following 12 weeks of model construction, rats were orally treated with a positive control drug and different doses of TARAP daily for 28 days.

Qianliening capsule inhibits benign prostatic hyperplasia angiogenesis via the HIF-1α signaling pathway.

Angiogenesis plays an important role in the progression and development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and has become a promising target for BPH treatment. The hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) signaling pathway promotes the process of angiogenesis, contributing to the growth and progression of a number of hyperplasia diseases, including BPH. Qianliening capsule (QC) is a traditional Chinese formula that has been used clinically in China to treat BPH for a number of years.

Ethanol extract of attenuates hepatic lipid accumulation via AMPK activation in human HepG2 cells.

One of the most common causes of chronic liver disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is strongly associated with obesity and dysregulated insulin action in the liver. However, there are no pharmacological agents currently established for the treatment of NAFLD. A flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, (CJ), exhibits a variety of pharmacological and antioxidative properties that promote hepatoprotection.