Scalp Acupuncture for the Treatment of Motor Function in Acute Spinal Cord Injury: A Case Report.

An acute spinal cord injury is the result of a traumatic injury to the spinal cord caused by a contusion, compression, or severing of the spinal cord. There are approximately 17,000 new cases each year, of which, males account for 80%. Approximately 65% of these injuries cause incomplete or partial damage to the spinal cord.

Ligustilide attenuates vascular inflammation and activates Nrf2/HO-1 induction and, NO synthesis in HUVECs.

Background: Ligustilide is a bioactive phthalide derivative isolated from Cnidii Rhizoma (Cnidium officinale, rhizome) and Angelicae Gigantis Radix (Angelica gigas Nakai, root) which are both medicinal herbs used to treat circulatory disorders. Vascular endothelium is a central spot in developing cardiovascular diseases and chronic vascular inflammation might result in atherosclerosis development.

Purpose: We previously found out that a traditional herbal formula, Samul-Tang (Si-Wu-Tang, containing Cnidii Rhizoma and Angelicae Gigantis Radix), attenuated vascular inflammation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

A Herbal Medicine, , in Subjects with Chronic Dizziness (GOODNESS Study): Study Protocol for a Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group, Clinical Trial for Effectiveness, Safety, and Cost-Effectiveness.

This study protocol aims to explore the effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of a herbal medication, (GJD), in patients with chronic dizziness. This will be a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, clinical trial. Seventy-eight patients diagnosed with Meniere's disease, psychogenic dizziness, or dizziness of unknown cause will be randomized and allocated to either a GJD or a placebo group in a 1 : 1 ratio.

Transcriptomic features of primary prostate cancer and their prognostic relevance to castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Although various mechanisms of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) have been discovered, reliable biomarkers for monitoring CRPC progression are lacking. We sought to identify molecules that predict the progression of advanced prostate cancer (AdvPC) into CRPC. The study used primary-site samples (=45 for next-generation sequencing (NGS); =243 for real-time polymerase chain reaction) from patients with prostate cancer (PC).

Ginseng for improving semen quality parameters: A protocol of systematic review.

Background: The aim of this systematic review is to determine whether ginseng is effective in improving sperm quality.

Methods And Analysis: Twelve databases will be searched from their inception to the present date: PubMed, EMBASE, AMED, the Cochrane Library, 5 Korean medical databases (KoreaMed, DBpia, OASIS, the Research Information Service System [RISS], and the Korean Studies Information Service System [KISS]), and 3 Chinese medical databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure [CNKI], the Wanfang Database, and the Chinese Scientific Journals Database [VIP]). We will include all prospective clinical trials including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), controlled trials, and uncontrolled observational studies.

High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of phytosterols in root grown under different conditions.

Background: The plant is used as an herbal medicine. Phytosterols of have inhibitory effects on inflammation-related factors in HepG2 cells.

Methods: Phytosterols (e.

Mitochondrial ROS activates ERK/autophagy pathway as a protected mechanism against deoxypodophyllotoxin-induced apoptosis.

Deoxypodophyllotoxin (DPT) is a naturally occurring flavolignan isolated from . Recently, it has been reported that DPT inhibits tubulin polymerization and induces G2/M cell cycle arrest followed by apoptosis through multiple cellular processes. Despite these findings, details regarding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the DPT-mediated cell death have been poorly understood.

Beneficial Effect of Berberis amurensis Rupr. on Penile Erection.

Objective: To investigate whether the methanol extract of Berberis amurensis Rupr. (BAR) augments penile erection using in vitro and in vivo experiments.

Methods: The ex vivo study used corpus cavernosum strips prepared from adult male New Zealand White rabbits.

Expression Profile of Three Splicing Factors in Pleural Cells Based on the Underlying Etiology and Its Clinical Values in Patients with Pleural Effusion.

Splicing factors (SFs) are involved in oncogenesis or immune modulation, the common underlying processes giving rise to pleural effusion (PE). The expression profiles of three SFs (HNRNPA1, SRSF1, and SRSF3) and their clinical values have never been assessed in PE. The three SFs (in pellets of PE) and conventional tumor markers were analyzed using PE samples in patients with PE (N = 336).

New metformin derivative HL156A prevents oral cancer progression by inhibiting the insulin-like growth factor/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin pathways.

Metformin is a biguanide widely prescribed as an antidiabetic drug for type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. The purpose of the present study was to observe the effects of the new metformin derivative, HL156A, on human oral cancer cell and to investigate its possible mechanisms. It was observed that HL156A significantly decreased FaDu and YD-10B cell viability and colony formation in a dose-dependent way.

Molecular chemotherapeutic potential of butein: A concise review.

Butein is a biologically active flavonoid isolated from the bark of Rhus verniciflua Stokes, which is known to have therapeutic potential against various cancers. Notably, butein inhibits cancer cell growth by inducing G/M phase arrest and apoptosis. Butein-induced G/M phase arrest is associated with increased phosphorylation of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and Chk1/2, and consequently, with reduced cdc25C levels.

Samchuleum attenuates diabetic renal injury through the regulation of TGF‑β/Smad signaling in human renal mesangial cells.

Renal mesangial cell proliferation is a major clinical feature of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and includes glomerulosclerosis and renal fibrosis. Samchuleum (SCE) is a traditional herbal mixture that is recorded in the ancient Korean medical book, Donguibogam. The present study attempted to determine whether SCE treatment was able to improve high glucose (HG)‑induced mesangial cell fibrosis and glomerulosclerosis in primary cultured human mesangial cells.

Apigenin promotes TRAIL-mediated apoptosis regardless of ROS generation.

Apigenin is a bioactive flavone in several herbs including parsley, thyme, and peppermint. Apigenin possesses anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties; however, whether apigenin enhances TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in cancer cells is unknown. In the current study, we found that apigenin enhanced TRAIL-induced apoptosis by promoting caspase activation and death receptor 5 (DR5) expression and a chimeric antibody against DR5 completely blocked the apoptosis.

Amelioration of Scopolamine-Induced Learning and Memory Impairment by -Pinene in C57BL/6 Mice.

Increasing evidence suggests that neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) are mediated via disruption of cholinergic neurons and enhanced oxidative stress. Therefore, attention has been focused on searching for antioxidant phytochemicals for the prevention and/or treatment of AD through their ability to fortify cholinergic function and antioxidant defense capacity. In this study, we have investigated the neuroprotective effect of -pinene (APN) against learning and memory impairment induced by scopolamine (SCO, 1 mg/kg, i.

Genotoxicity and Single-Treatment Toxicity Evaluation of Mycoleptodonoides aitchisonii (Agaricomycetes) Water Extract.

Mushrooms have long been used worldwide for culinary and medicinal purposes because of their various nutrients and active constituents. The safety of mushrooms as a culinary ingredient requires validation. Although Mycoleptodonoides aitchisonii has long been used for culinary purposes in East Asia, it has not been authorized by a regulatory agency.

Dangguijakyak-san ameliorates memory deficits in ovariectomized mice by upregulating hippocampal estrogen synthesis.

Background: Dangguijakyak-san (DJS) is an herbal formulation that has been clinically applicable for treating postmenopausal symptoms and neurological disorders. It is reported that hippocampal estrogen attenuates memory impairment via neuroprotection and synaptogenesis. However, the effect of DJS on hippocampal estrogen synthesis remains unknown.

Vitis labruscana leaf extract ameliorates scopolamine-induced impairments with activation of Akt, ERK and CREB in mice.

Background: Grapes are among the most widely consumed plants and are used as a folk medicine. Vitis species have been traditionally used as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and memory-enhancing agents, but, their biological activities of discarded grape leaves are not completely understood.

Purpose: We investigated the effects of alcoholic aqueous leaf extract of Vitis labruscana (LEVL) in a mouse model of memory impairment and tried to ascertain its mechanism.

Vanillic acid attenuates testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats and inhibits proliferation of prostatic epithelial cells.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disease in the male population, especially in elderly men. Vanillic acid (VA), a dihydroxybenzoic derivative used as a flavoring agent, is reported to have an anti-inflammatory effect. However, there are no reports of its effects on BPH to date.

modulates morphological changes characteristic of asthma via IL-4 and IL-13 in an asthma murine model.

Asthma is a chronic pulmonary disease that affects an estimated 235 million people worldwide, but asthma drugs have many adverse effects. (eastern prickly pear) has been used as a food and traditional medicine worldwide; however, its anti-asthmatic effects have not been reported. We evaluated as a potential therapeutic or preventive component of anti-asthmatic drugs.

Antinociceptive effect of Valeriana fauriei regulates BDNF signaling in an animal model of fibromyalgia.

The genus Valeriana has been widely used in popular medicine for centuries, to treat sleep disorders, anxiety, epilepsy and insomnia. Recent studies have focused on the novel pharmacological effects of Valeriana fauriei Briq. (VF) species.

Acupuncture's Role in Solving the Opioid Epidemic: Evidence, Cost-Effectiveness, and Care Availability for Acupuncture as a Primary, Non-Pharmacologic Method for Pain Relief and Management-White Paper 2017.

The United States (U.S.) is facing a national opioid epidemic, and medical systems are in need of non-pharmacologic strategies that can be employed to decrease the public's opioid dependence.

Role of cytochrome P450 2J2 on cell proliferation and resistance to an anticancer agent in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells.

The present study examined the role of human cytochrome P450 2J2 (CYP2J2) on cell proliferation and resistance to an anticancer agent using stable hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells overexpressing CYP2J2. Overexpression of CYP2J2 significantly increased HepG2 cell proliferation and the expression levels of cell cycle regulatory proteins, including cyclin D1, cyclin E, cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk)2 and Cdk4. CYP2J2-overexpressing HepG2 cells exhibited high levels of Akt phosphorylation compared with those observed in wild-type HepG2 cells.

Cytotoxic Cardiac Glycoside Constituents of Vallaris glabra Leaves.

Thirteen cardenolide glycosides (1-13) were isolated from the CHCl and MeOH extracts of Vallaris glabra leaves. The structures of the new compounds (2-13) were identified by spectroscopic methods, with the absolute configurations of the sugar moieties determined by acid hydrolysis. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against human cervix adenocarcinoma, lung carcinoma, and colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines.