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This study aims to investigate the effects of Linggui Zhugan Decoction(LGZGD) on myocardial fibrosis(MF) and the Lats1/Yap signaling pathway in mice after myocardial infarction(MI), exploring its role and mechanism in inhibiting MF. The MI-induced ischemic mouse model was established by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation, followed by continuous intervention for six weeks. Doppler ultrasound imaging-system of small animals was used to detect left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF), left ventricular fractional shortening(LVFS), left ventricular internal diameter at end-systole(LVIDs), and left ventricular internal diameter at end-diastole(LVIDd). Pathological changes in myocardial tissue were observed by HE and Masson staining. Serum levels of creatine kinase isoenzyme MB(CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) were detected by using ELISA. Myocardial tissue mRNA levels of Lats1, Yap, and connective tissue growth factor(CTGF) were determined by RT-qPCR. Protein expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), collagen Ⅰ(Col Ⅰ), collagen Ⅲ(Col Ⅲ), tissue inhibitor of metal protease 1(TIMP1), matrix metallopeptidase 2(MMP2), Yap, p-Yap, and n-Yap was determined by Western blot. Compared with the sham group, the model group showed significantly decreased LVEF and LVFS levels, increased LVIDd and LVIDs levels(P<0.01), disordered arrangement of myocardial cells, partial fracture of myocardial fibers, and massive deposition of collagen fibers. Moreover, serum levels of CK-MB and LDH were significantly increased(P<0.01), while myocardial tissue mRNA levels of Lats1 were significantly decreased(P<0.01), and mRNA levels of Yap and CTGF were significantly increased(P<0.01). Protein expression of α-SMA, Col Ⅰ, Col Ⅲ, MMP2, Yap, and n-Yap was significantly increased(P<0.01), while protein expression of Lats1, TIMP1, p-Yap, and the ratio of p-Yap/Yap were significantly decreased(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, after intervention with LGZGD(9.36 g·kg~(-1)), mice showed significantly increased LVEF and LVFS levels, decreased LVIDd and LVIDs levels(P<0.01), more orderly arrangement of myocardial cells, significantly reduced myocardial fiber fracture and collagen fiber deposition. Serum levels of CK-MB and LDH were significantly decreased(P<0.01), while myocardial tissue mRNA levels of Lats1 were significantly increased(P<0.01), and mRNA levels of Yap and CTGF were significantly decreased(P<0.01). Protein expression of α-SMA, Col Ⅰ, Col Ⅲ, MMP2, Yap, and n-Yap was significantly decreased(P<0.01), while protein expression of Lats1, TIMP1, p-Yap, and the ratio of p-Yap/Yap were significantly increased(P<0.01). LGZGD can inhibit MF in mice after MI and improve mouse cardiac function, which is closely related to the activation of the Lats1/Yap signaling pathway.

Danhong Injection, a compound Chinese medicine injection prepared from Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Carthami Flos, is used in the clinical treatment of coronary heart disease, cerebral thrombosis, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris and other cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. In this study, a quantitative method for simultaneous determination of multiple components in Danhong Injection was developed based on ~1H-qNMR technology and then methodological verification was carried out. The results showed that the established method had good methodological indexes. This method can simultaneously determine the content of 21 chemical components including 6 amino acids, 4 small molecular organic acids, 5 sugars and their derivatives, 1 nucleoside, and 5 aromatic compounds in Danhong Injection. The total content accounted for about 85% of the total solid mass, which reflected the great advantage of ~1H-qNMR method in the analysis of Chinese medicine injections. The ~1H-qNMR method for simultaneous determination of multiple components in Danhong Injection developed in this study has simple operation, short analysis time, and wide application range, which has practical significance for the quality evaluation of Danhong Injection and provides reference for the development of quality control methods for Chinese medicine injections.

A content determination method based on ~1H-qNMR was developed for the determination of total ginsenosides in Shenmai Injection. The parameters were optimized with CD_3OD as the solvent, dimethyl terephthalate as the internal standard, the peak at δ 8.11 as the internal standard peak, and the peaks at δ 1.68 and δ 0.79 as quantitative peaks of total ginsenosides. The developed ~1H-qNMR-based method was validated methodologically. The results showed that the method could achieve accurate measurement of total ginsenosides in Shenmai Injection in the range of 0.167 6-3.091 1 mmol·L~(-1). The developed ~1H-qNMR-based method for total ginsenosides is simple in operation, short in analysis time, strong in specificity, independent of accompanying standard curve, and small in sample volume, which can serve as a reliable mean for the quality control of Shenmai Injection. This study is expected to provide new ideas for the development of quantification methods of total ginsenosides.

Shenmai Injection is a Chinese medicinal injection prepared from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma Rubra and Ophiopogonis Radix, which is widely used in clinical practice for the treatment and adjuvant therapy of cardiovascular diseases with significant pharmacological effects. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy(~1H-NMR) has the advantages of simple and nondestructive sample pretreatment, fast analysis, abundant chemical information, quantification and no need to follow the standard curve. It is widely used in the analysis and research of complex mixtures of traditional Chinese medicine, clinical blood and urine samples. In this study, the ~1H-NMR fingerprint of Shenmai Injection was established. Thirty-two chemical components were identified, including seven amino acids, eight small molecular organic acids, one alkaloid, four sugars, two nucleosides, seven saponins, and three other components. Pearson's correlation coefficient and multivariate analysis of variance(principal component analysis combined with hierarchical cluster analysis) were applied based on the ~1H-NMR fingerprint to evaluate the quality consistency. The results showed high-quality consistency of 82 batches of Shenmai Injection. This study confirms that the ~1H-NMR fingerprint has great potential in the application of quality control of Chinese medicinal injection.

Objective: To evaluate whether the efficacy of Getong Tongluo Capsule (, GTC, consisted of total flavone of Radix Puerariae) on improving patients' quality of life and lowering blood pressure are superior to the extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGB) for patients with convalescent-phase ischemic stroke and primary hypertension., Methods: This randomized, positive-drug- and placebo-controlled, double-blind trial was conducted from September 2015 to October 2017. Totally 477 eligible patients from 18 hospitals in China were randomly assigned in a 2:1:1 ratio to the following interventions, twice a day for 12 weeks: (1) GTC 250 mg plus EGB-matching placebo 40 mg (237 cases, GTC group), (2) EGB 40 mg plus GTC-matching placebo 250 mg (120 cases, EGB group) or (3) GTC-matching placebo 250 mg plus EGB-matching placebo 40 mg (120 cases, placebo group). Moreover, all patients were orally administered aspirin enteric-coated tablets 100 mg, once a day for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the Barthel Index (BI). The secondary outcomes included the control rate of blood pressure and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores. The incidence and severity of adverse events (AEs) were calculated and assessed., Results: The BI relative independence rates, the clinical recovery rates of NIHSS, and the total effective rates of NIHSS in the GTC and EGB groups were significantly higher than the placebo group at 12 weeks after treatment (P<0.05), and no statistical significance was found between the GTC and EGB groups (P>0.05). The control rate of blood pressure in the GTC group was significantly higher than the EGB and placebo groups at 12, 18 and 24 weeks after treatment (P<0.01). There were no statistically significant differences in the incidences of AEs, adverse drug reactions, or serious AEs among the 3 groups (P>0.05)., Conclusion: GTC exhibited significant efficacy in improving patients' quality of life as well as neurological function and controlling hypertension. (Registration No. ChiCTR1800016667).

Background: Compound sophorae decoction (CSD), a Chinese Herbal decoction, is frequently clinically prescribed for patients suffered from ulcerative colitis (UC) characterized by bloody diarrhea. Yet, the underlying mechanism about how this formulae works is remain elusive., Methods: In the present study, the experimental colitis in C57BL/6 J mice was induced by oral administration of standard diets containing 3% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS), and CSD was given orally for treatment at the same time. The clinical symptoms including stool and body weight were recorded each day, and colon length and its histopathological changes were observed. Apoptosis of colonic epithelium was studied by detecting protein expression of cleaved caspase-3, and cell proliferation by Ki-67 immunohistochemistry. Tight junction complex like ZO-1 and occludin were also determined by transmission electron microscope and immunofluorescence. The concentration of FITC-dextran 4000 was measured to evaluate intestinal barrier permeability and possible signaling pathway was investigated. Mucin2 (MUC2) and notch pathway were tested through western blot. The M1/M2 ratio in spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes were detected by flow cytometry. And the mRNA levels of iNOS and Arg1 were examined by qRT-PCR., Results: CSD could significantly alleviate the clinical manifestations and pathological damage. Body weight loss and DAI score of mice with colitis were improved and shortening of colon was inhibited. The administration of CSD was able to reduce apoptotic epithelial cells and facilitate epithelial cell regeneration. Increased intestinal permeability was reduced in DSS-induced colitis mice. In addition, CSD treatment obviously up-regulated the expression of ZO-1 and occludin and the secretion of MUC2, regulated notch signaling, and decreased the ratio of M1/M2., Conclusions: These data together suggest that CSD can effectively mitigate intestinal inflammation, promote phenotypic change in macrophage phenotype and enhance colonic mucosal barrier function by, at least in part, regulating notch signaling in mice affected by DSS-induced colitis., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Baizi Yangxin Pills (BZYXP), a popular cinnabar (α-HgS) contained Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) is widely used in clinical trials. However, mercury is one of the most toxic elements. The adverse effects of cinnabar-containing TCMs have been occasionally reported in recent years, leading to the growing concerns about their toxicity and safety., Aim of the Study: The health risks of BZYXP and cinnabar related to the mercury exposures were evaluated through blood pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies in rats., Materials and Methods: The distribution of absorbed mercury in rats' blood and tissues were measured by the developed cold-vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometric method. And the tissue damages were determined through the histopathological examinations. For single dose study, the low and high oral doses were equivalent to 1 and 10-fold therapeutic dose, respectively. The multiple doses study was conducted at low and high dose levels every 12 h for 30 consecutive days., Results: Significant differences of mercury blood pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution characteristics were observed between the corresponding BZYXP and cinnabar groups. The herbal ingredients in BZYXP promoted the absorption of bio-accessible mercury of cinnabar and prolonged the elimination process, posing potential health risks. Although mercury was found easily accumulated in kidney, liver and brain tissues, kidney and liver didn't show obvious damages even after 30 days consecutive administration of BZYXP or cinnabar at 10-fold clinically equivalent doses. But brain did show some histopathological changes, and autonomic activities of rats decreased, pointing the potential neurotoxicity., Conclusions: Mercury tend to be accumulated especially when over-dose or prolonged medication with cinnabar-containing TCMs are given. The mercury exposures even at therapeutic doses of BZYXP or cinnabar do pose health risks from the neurotoxicity point of view., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A rapid and sensitive UHPLC-HR-MSn method was developed for the identification of chemical constituents in capillary wormwood extract. ACQUITY UHPLC HSS T3 chromatography column (2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.7 μm) was used with 0.1% formic acid-acetonitrile solution as the mobile phase in gradient elution. The extract was detected by ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap equipped with an ESI ion source in a negative mode. Based on the accurate mass measurements, retention time, mass fragmentation patterns and literature reports, a total of 50 compounds including 21 flavonoids, 22 phenolic acids, 6 coumarins and 1 other compound were tentatively screened and characterized. These results are helpful for the comprehensive quality control, better comprehension of the metabolism and further study of pharmacodynamic substance from capillary wormwood extract., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.)

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) plays an important role in myocardial injury. In the present study, we aimed to examine the protective effects of Danshensu (DSS) against I/R injury and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. For this purpose, H9c2 cells were cultured in hypoxic solution in a hypoxic incubator for 2 h, and then cultured in a high oxygen incubator for various periods of time and pre-treated with or without DSS, ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) or SP600125 [a c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor]. Cell apoptosis and cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) levels were analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein expression levels of JNK, phosphorylated (p-)JNK, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily C, member 6 (TRPC6) were measured by western blot analysis. The mRNA expression levels of JNK were measured by RT-qPCR. The results revealed that TRPC6 protein expression, the cell apoptotic rate and the [Ca2+]i levels increased in a time-dependent manner in the H9c2 cells following the induction of I/R injury. The apoptotic rate and TRPC6 protein expression decreased when the cells were treated with DSS prior to the induction of I/R injury. The knockdown of JNK expression by siRNA decreased the p-JNK and TRPC6 protein expression levels in the H9c2 cells subjected to I/R injury. The protein expression levels of p-JNK and NF-κB in the nucleus increased significantly when the H9c2 cells were subjected to I/R injury, whereas NF-κB expression in the cytoplasm decreased in a time‑dependent manner. However, p-JNK, NF-κB and TRPC6 protein expression, the [Ca2+]i level and cell apoptosis decreased when the H9c2 cells were pre-treated with DSS or SP600125. Therefore, our data suggest that DSS prevents myocardial I/R injury by inhibiting p-JNK activation and NF-κB translocation, which potentially upregulate TRPC6 expression, increase the [Ca2+]i level, and result in the apoptosis of H9c2 cells.

Objective: To investigate the effect of clopidogrel on the pharmacokinetic of Fufang Danshen Dripping Pill (FDDP);, Methods: 20 SD rats were randomly divided into two group,which were intrinsically administrated FDDP(324 mg/kg) alone and combination of FDDP(324 mg/kg) and clopidogrel(30 mg/kg) respectively for 21 days. The ginsenoside Rg, from FDDP was determined by HPLC and its pharmacokinetic parameter were finally compared., Results: The value of Cmax and AUC0-∞ of ginsenoside Rg, were increased from 1.97 ± 0.44 mg/L and 8.44 ± 2.64 mg/L · h to 2.48 ± 0.63 mg/L and 14.38 ± 5.72 mg/L · h respectively., Conclusion: Long term with clopidogrel has effect on the pharmacokinetic character of Rg, from FDDP, this research may provides theoretical support for the FDDP-clopidogrel combination treatment in clinical.

Objective: To study the synergistic action of Compound Danshen Dripping Pill (CDDP) on Clopidogrel Bisulfate (CPG) counteracting platelet aggregation., Methods: 40 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into four groups: normal control group (CMC-Na), CPG alone group (30 mg/kg), CDDP alone group (324 mg/kg), co-administration group (CPG 30 mg/kg and CDDP 324 mg/kg). The rats received gastric infusion of corresponding drugs for 21 continuous days. Blood sample of SD rats were collected by puncture of the abdominal artery for the determination of coagulation parameters such as prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (FIB) concentration and thrombin time (TT) in each group. Another 40 SD rats were used for the observation of inhibitory effect on the thrombosis in arteriovenous shunt. Finally, homology modeling and molecular docking were employed to simulate their interaction between the P2Y purinoceptor 12 (P2Y12) target and bioactive compounds contained in CDDP., Results: The bleeding time of coagulation parameters was prolonged, the thrombosis in arteriovenous shunt was inhibited in the medication group. The above effect was much better in the combination group. The molecular docking showed that bioactive compounds contained in CDDP was able to inhibit target P2Y12., Conclusion: CDDP can enhance the effect of CPG on inhibiting platelet aggregation.

Objective: To preliminarily analyze key factors influencing curative effect through clinical observations of acupoint application for "treatment of winter disease in summer" used to prevent and treat bronchial asthma in children., Methods: In an observational study and prospective cohort study, we observed children in remission of asthma at three class III grade A TCM hospitals in Liaoning, Hubei, and Chengdu., Results: A total of 609 children conformed to diagnostic and inclusive standards for remission of bronchial asthma. Through follow-up visits, we observed their skin reactions and the time and chance of treatment with different therapies in the three hospitals; we also compared and analyzed different drugs, acupoints, and preparations. We found that the key Chinese drugs were Bai Jie Zi (Semen Sinapis Albae) and Yian Hu Suo (Rhizoma Corydalis); the key acupoints were Feishu (BL 13), Gaohuang (BL 43), Dingchuan (EX-B1), Tiantu (CV 22), and Shanzhong (CV 17); and the best preparation was a mixture of drugs, ginger juice, and musk. Acupoint application was practiced on the hottest days of summer and the coldest days of winter for 0.5 to 2 h with the lowest rate of asthma relapse., Conclusions: The present data analysis shows that the curative effect of acupoint application for "treatment of winter disease in summer" may be influenced by recipes of Chinese drugs, preparations, prescriptions of acupoints, chance, time, and skin reactions. A curative effect is the result of the comprehensive action of these factors.

2,3,4',5-Tetrahydroxystilbene 2- O-beta- D-glucoside (TSG), an active component extracted from Polygonum multiflorum, has been found to have an anti-atherosclerotic effect. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the TSG could prevent the development of atherosclerosis through influencing endothelial function in atherogenic-diet rats and to explore the possible mechanisms. Vascular endothelial dysfunction was assessed using isolated aortic ring preparation, transmission electron microscopy of the aorta, and levels of nitrate/nitrite (NOx) in serum and aorta. Endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA and protein expression were also measured. After 12 weeks treatment, TSG improved acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation, prevented intimal remodeling, inhibited the decreased NOx content in serum and aorta in atherogenic-diet rats. Furthermore, the observed decreased eNOS mRNA and protein expression and increased iNOS mRNA and protein expression in atherogenic-diet rats were attenuated by TSG treatment. These results suggest that TSG could restore vascular endothelial function, which may be related to its ability to prevent changes of eNOS and iNOS expression, leading to preservation of NO bioactivity.

Eight new cycloartane-type triterpenoids, cycloartan-24-ene-1alpha,2alpha,3alpha-triol (1), 3beta-acetoxycycloartan-24-ene-1alpha,2alpha-diol (2), 1alpha-acetoxycycloartan-24-ene-2alpha,3beta-diol (3), 3beta-isovaleroyloxycycloartan-24-ene-1alpha,2alpha-diol (4), cycloartan-24-ene-1alpha,3beta-diol (5), cycloartan-23 E-ene-1alpha,2alpha,3beta,25-tetrol (6), and an epimeric mixture of 24 R,25-epoxycycloartane-1alpha,2alpha,3beta-triol (7) and 24 S,25-epoxycycloartane-1alpha,2alpha,3beta-triol (8), together with one known compound, cycloartan-24-ene-1alpha,2alpha,3beta-triol (9), were isolated from the resinous exudates of Commiphora opobalsamum. Their structures were established on the basis of mass spectrometry and multidimensional NMR spectroscopy. The cytotoxicity of compounds 1-9 was evaluated against the PC3 and DU145 human prostate tumor cell lines. All of the compounds except 1 and 5 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against PC3 or DU145 cells with IC50 values ranging from 10.1 to 37.2 microM.