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Abstract Background The Gouqi-wentang formula (GQWTF) is a herbal formula used by Academician Xiao-lin Tong for the clinical treatment of T2DM. GQWTF is beneficial to qi, nourishes Yin, clears heat, and promotes fluid production, but the effective components and their mechanism of action remain unclear. Methods The main components of GQWTF were detected by LC–MS, and the multi-target mechanisms of GQWTF in T2DM were elucidated using network pharmacology analysis, including target prediction, protein–protein interaction network construction and analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) terms, Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway annotation, and other network construction. Finally, the efficacy of the GQWTF was verified using biological experiments. Results First, the “herb-channel tropism” network suggested that GQWTF focuses more on treating diseases by recuperating the liver, which is considered as an important insulin-sensitive organ. Subsequently, a total of 16 active ingredients in GQWTF were detected and screened, and their biological targets were predicted. Then, “compound-target” network was constructed, where enrichment analysis of GQWTF targets reflected its potential pharmacological activities. After T2DM-related target identification, 39 cross targets of GQWTF and T2DM were obtained, and 30 key targets highly responsible for the beneficial effect of GQWTF on T2DM were identified by PPI analysis. GO analysis of these key targets showed that many biological processes of GQWTF in treating T2DM are key in the occurrence and development of T2DM, including components related to inflammatory/immune response, insulin, and metabolism. KEGG analysis revealed the regulation of multiple signalling pathways, such as insulin resistance, PPAR signalling pathway, FoxO signalling pathway, Fc epsilon RI signalling pathway, and pathways that influence diabetes primarily by regulating metabolism as well as other T2DM directly related pathways. Furthermore, a “formula-compound-pathway-symptom” network was constructed to represent a global view of GQWTF in the treatment of T2DM. Conclusions This study explored the mechanism of action of GQWTF in T2DM by multi-component and multi-target multi pathways, which could provide a theoretical basis for the development and clinical application of GQWTF.

Without an effective vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the build-up of herd immunity through natural infection has been suggested as a means to control COVID-19. Although population immunity is typically estimated by the serological investigation of recovered patients, humoral immunity in asymptomatic subjects has not been well studied, although they represent a large proportion of all SARS-CoV-2 infection cases. In this study, we conducted a serosurvey of asymptomatic infections among food workers and performed serological and cellular response analyses of asymptomatic subjects in Wuhan, the original epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak. Our data showed that up to 5.91% of the food workers carried SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies asymptomatically; however, in 90.4% of them, the antibody level declined over a 2-week period. IgM and IgG antibodies, including neutralizing antibodies, were significantly lower in asymptomatic subjects than in recovered symptomatic patients with similar disease courses. Furthermore, the asymptomatic subjects showed lymphopenia and a prominent decrease in the B-cell population, as well as a low frequency of antibody-secreting cells and a low cytokine response. These factors probably contributed to the low and unsustained antibody levels in asymptomatic subjects. Our results show that asymptomatic subjects are likely to be vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 reinfection, and neither the proportion of population immunity nor the breadth of immune responses is sufficient for herd immunity.

Background: To explore the effect of combining traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine in hemodialysis patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Methods: This study was conducted from 27 January 2020 to 17 March 2020 in Wuhan Third Hospital Guanggu Branch, Wuhan, China. Fifty-three patients were included and divided into a control group (CG), which received Western medicine and a combined treatment group, which received TCM and Western medicine (TG). Clinical and laboratory data, TCM symptom scores, and chest computed tomography results were extracted and compared between the two groups.Results: The TG included 21 (67.7%) men and 10 (32.3%) women with a mean age of 61.02 (standard deviation [SD] 15.07, range 26–89) years. The mean dialysis duration in the TG was 49 (SD 31) months. Of all patients in the TG, 27 (87.1%) had fatigue, 18 (58.1%) had dry cough, 16 (51.6%) had anorexia, 11 (35.5%) had dyspnea, and 11 (35.5%) had fever. The CG included 14 (63.6%) men and 8 (36.4%) women with a mean age of 61.45 (SD 13.78, range 36–84) years. The mean dialysis duration in the CG was 63 (SD 46) months. Of all patients in the CG, 21 (95.5%) had fatigue, 12 (54.5%) had dry cough, 17 (77.3%) had anorexia, 12 (54.5%) had dyspnea, and 7 (31.8%) had fever. After treatment, the TCM symptom scores of the two groups decreased; the anorexia scores were lower in the TG than in the CG (p < 0.05). After treatment, albumin increased and D-dimer, C-reactive protein, and lactate dehydrogenase levels decreased in the TG. The d-dimer levels were lower and the albumin level was higher in the TG than in the CG after treatment (p < 0.05). The cure rate was higher, and the mortality rate was lower in the TG than in the CG (p < 0.05).Conclusion: A combination of TCM and Western medicine in hemodialysis patients with COVID-19 could relieve symptoms and help recovery. Further evidence from larger randomized controlled trials is needed to confirm our results.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has long been used to treat diabetes mellitus and angina. It has also gained widespread clinical applications in China as a common adjuvant treatment. Although there is high-quality evidence that TCM is effective in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, the cardiovascular protective effect of TCM in the treatment of diabetes mellitus has not been fully elucidated, especially in patients with both diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease (CHD). We systematically assessed the efficacy and safety of TCM for the adjuvant treatment of patients with CHD and diabetes mellitus and examined the pharmacological effects and potential mechanisms of TCM medication/herbs on diabetes mellitus with CHD. We found that TCM could improve the control effect of conventional treatment on cardiac function, hemorheology, blood glucose, blood lipid, and inflammation, thus reducing the frequency of angina and the incidence of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. These findings indicate that TCM may be used as a complementary approach for patients with diabetes mellitus and CHD. Nevertheless, more rigorously designed randomized controlled trials and long-term evaluations are needed to support these findings.

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new global public health emergency. The therapeutic benefits of Cold‒Damp Plague Formula (CDPF) against COVID-19, which was used to treat “cold‒dampness stagnation in the lung” in Trial Versions 6 and 7 of the “Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for COVID-19”, have been demonstrated, but the effective components and their mechanism of action remain unclear. Methods In this study, a network pharmacology approach was employed, including drug-likeness evaluation, oral bioavailability prediction, protein‒protein interaction (PPI) network construction and analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) terms, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway annotation, and virtual docking, to predict the bioactive components, potential targets, and molecular mechanism of CDPF for COVID-19 treatment. Results The active compound of herbs in CDPF and their candidate targets were obtained through database mining, and an herbs—ingredients—targets network was constructed. Subsequently, the candidate targets of the active compounds were compared to those relevant to COVID-19, to identify the potential targets of CDPF for COVID-19 treatment. Subsequently, the PPI network was constructed, which provided a basis for cluster analysis and hub gene screening. The seed targets in the most significant module were selected for further functional annotation. GO enrichment analysis identified four main areas: (1) cellular responses to external stimuli, (2) regulation of blood production and circulation, (3) free radical regulation, (4) immune regulation and anti-inflammatory effects. KEGG pathway analysis also revealed that CDPF could play pharmacological roles against COVID-19 through “multi components‒multi targets‒multi pathways” at the molecular level, mainly involving anti-viral, immune-regulatory, and anti-inflammatory pathways; consequently, a “CDPF—herbs—ingredients—targets—pathways—COVID-19” network was constructed. In hub target analysis, the top hub target IL6, and ACE2, the receptor via which SARS-CoV-2 typically enters host cells, were selected for molecular docking analyses, and revealed good binding activities. Conclusions This study revealed the active ingredients and potential molecular mechanism by which CDPF treatment is effective against COVID-19, and provides a reference basis for the wider application and further mechanistic investigations of CDPF in the fight against COVID-19.

Abstract Background Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a serious microvascular complication of diabetes and remains the leading cause of blindness in adults. Retinal inflammation is playing a crucial role in the development of DR, and targeting inflammatory mediators is a promising strategy for controlling DR. Here, we investigated compound Chinese medicine Luo Tong formula (LTF) alleviated retinal inflammatory responses in a STZ-induced diabetic rat model. Methods Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four groups: control, streptozotocin-induced diabetic, LTF-treated diabetic, and calcium dobesilate (CaD)-treated diabetic rats. Blood samples were collected for blood glucose examination. Hematoxylin–eosin and periodic acid-Schiff staining were conducted for light microscopy observations. Retinal cell apoptosis was detected using the TUNEL assay. Proteins expression was quantified by Western blotting and/or immunohistochemistry, and gene expression was assessed by real-time PCR. Results Diabetic rats showed significant increases in the expression of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and the phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38-MAPK)/p38 MAPK ratio compared to control rats. LTF treatment significantly improved both retinal and pancreatic pathological injury, LTF treatment also inhibited inducible the p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK ratio and NF-κB activation and decreased the subsequent induction of the retinal expression of proinflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-1β, MCP-1 and ICAM-1 compared to diabetic rats. LTF also exhibited a protective effect on islet function. Conclusions LTF before the onset of DR can alleviate retinal pathological injury, LTF may play an anti-inflammatory role by inhibiting p38-MAPK and then inhibiting NF-κB pathway. But further studies are needed to confirm this conclusion. Trial registration This is an animal experiment, trial registration is not necessary.

Abstract Background Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the main cause of end-stage kidney disease and has become a heavy economic and social burden due to its high prevalence and morbidity. The most effective strategy is that patients with DKD should be diagnosed and treated early. Preliminary studies showed that the Chinese herbal Tangshen Formula (TSF) may delay the progression of DKD, reducing microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria and improving renal function. We designed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of TSF in patients with DKD. Methods/design This trial is a 13-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. A total of 632 participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to an experiment group (TSF plus losartan) and a control group (placebo plus losartan). The trial cycle will last 24 weeks. The primary outcome will be the change in the urine microalbumin–creatinine ratio from baseline to week 24. The secondary outcome will be the change in the rate of progression to the clinical proteinuria period after intervention, the rate of urine microalbumin negative conversion, the rate of normal urinary microalbumin, the doubling rate of the baseline creatinine value and the glomerular filtration rate between the two groups. Safety in medication will also be evaluated. Discussion We hypothesize that patients with type 2 diabetes in the early stage of DKD will benefit from TSF. If successful, this study will provide evidence-based recommendations for clinicians. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03009864. Registered January 2017.

Abstract Introduction Radix Salviae (Dan-shen in pinyin), a classic Chinese herb, has been extensively used to treat diabetic retinopathy in clinical practice in China for many years. However, the pharmacological mechanisms of Radix Salviae remain vague. The aim of this study was to decrypt the underlying mechanisms of Radix Salviae in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy using a systems pharmacology approach. Methods A network pharmacology-based strategy was proposed to elucidate the underlying multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway mode of action of Radix Salviae against diabetic retinopathy. First, we collected putative targets of Radix Salviae based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology database and a network of the interactions among the putative targets of Radix Salviae and known therapeutic targets of diabetic retinopathy was built. Then, two topological parameters, “degree” and “closeness certainty” were calculated to identify the major targets in the network. Furthermore, the major hubs were imported to the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery to perform a pathway enrichment analysis. Results A total of 130 nodes, including 18 putative targets of Radix Salviae, were observed to be major hubs in terms of topological importance. The results of pathway enrichment analysis indicated that putative targets of Radix Salviae mostly participated in various pathways associated with angiogenesis, protein metabolism, inflammatory response, apoptosis, and cell proliferation. The putative targets of Radix Salviae (vascular endothelial growth factor, matrix metalloproteinases, plasminogen, insulin-like growth factor-1, and cyclooxygenase-2) were recognized as active factors involved in the main biological functions of treatment, which implied that these were involved in the underlying mechanisms of Radix Salviae on diabetic retinopathy. Conclusions Radix Salviae could alleviate diabetic retinopathy via the molecular mechanisms predicted by network pharmacology. This research demonstrates that the network pharmacology approach can be an effective tool to reveal the mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine from a holistic perspective.

Metabolic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia are associated with the dysfunction of gut microbiota. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have shown considerable effects in the treatment of metabolic disorders by regulating the gut microbiota. However, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Studies have shown that TCMs significantly affect glucose and lipid metabolism by modulating the gut microbiota, particularly mucin-degrading bacteria, bacteria with anti-inflammatory properties, lipopolysaccharide- and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria, and bacteria with bile-salt hydrolase activity. In this review, we explored potential mechanisms by which TCM improved metabolic disorders via regulating gut microbiota composition and functional structure. In particular, we focused on the protection of the intestinal barrier function, modulation of metabolic endotoxemia and inflammatory responses, regulation of the effects of SCFAs, modulation of the gut-brain axis, and regulation of bile acid metabolism and tryptophan metabolism as therapeutic mechanisms of TCMs in metabolic diseases.

Aim: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a serious complication of diabetes (DM). Luo Tong formula (LTF) exerts protective effects against DR in rats, but its underlying mechanism remains unknown. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats injected with streptozotocin (STZ) were used as an experimental diabetes model. LTF or calcium dobesilate (CaD) was administered to diabetic rats via gastric gavage. After the 12 weeks of treatment, blood and tissue samples were collected to determine serum glucose and retinal structure. Blood samples were collected for blood glucose and hemorheology analysis. Gene or protein expression levels were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, western blotting and/or quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: DM rats exhibits significantly increased blood retinal-barrier (BRB) breakdown and VEGF/VEGFR expression in the retina, and decreased miR-200b and tight junction ZO-1/Occludin/ Claudin-5 genes expression, as well as Ang-1/Tie-2 expressions in the retina compared to normal control group. LTF treatment significantly moderated histological abnormalities in diabetic rats, independent of blood glucose level; improved some hemorrheological parameters; decreased the expressions of VEGF/VEGFR and BRB breakdown, significantly increased PEDF and tight junction proteins ZO-1/Occludin, as well as increased retinal miR-200b expression compared to non-treatment diabetic rats. Moreover, LTF prevented the reduction in Ang-1/Tie-2 expression. Conclusions: LTF treatment ameliorated DR through its repair vascular and attenuate vascular leakage. A mechanism involving miR-200b may contribute to benefit effects.

With improved standards of living, the incidence of multiple metabolic disorders has increased year by year, especially major risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, continues to increase. Emerging epidemiological data and clinical trials have shown the additional protective effects of some metabolic therapy drugs against cardiovascular diseases. A series of studies have found that these drugs may work by modulating the composition of gut microbiota. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the contribution of the gut microbiota to both metabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases, as well as the response of gut microbiota to metabolic therapy drugs with cardiovascular benefits. In this manner, we link the recent advances in microbiome studies on metabolic treatment drugs with their cardiovascular protective effects, suggesting that intestinal microorganisms may play a potential role in reducing cardiovascular risk factors. We also discuss the potential of microorganism-targeted therapeutics as treatment strategies for preventing and/or treating cardiovascular disease and highlight the need to establish causal links between therapeutics for metabolic diseases, gut microbiota modulation, and cardiovascular protection.

The present study sought to examine the therapeutic effect of a novel antidiabetic monomer combination (AMC) in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); while also elucidating the potential functional mechanism. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks to establish T2DM. The AMC group showed significant reduction in weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and experienced reduced insulin resistance based on oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT) and hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp testing (“gold standard” for determining in vivo insulin sensitivity). Further, AMC restored the altered intestinal flora by increasing the abundance of the beneficial bacteria Akkermansia, and decreasing the number of harmful bacteria, including Bacteroides, Odoribacter, Prevotella 9, Alistipes, and Parabacteroides. Components of the host-microbial metabolome were also significantly changed in the AMC group compared to the HFD group, including hydroxyphenyllactic acid, palmitoleic acid, dodecanoic acid, linoleic acid, and erucic acid. Furthermore, AMC was found to inhibit inflammation and suppress signaling pathways related to insulin resistance. Lastly, spearman correlation analysis revealed relationships between altered microbial community and co-metabolite levels, co-metabolites and inflammatory cytokines. Hence, the potential mechanism responsible for AMC-mediated alleviation of insulin resistance was suggested to be involved in modulation of bacteria-cometabolism-inflammation responses.

Abstract Background Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a serious complication associated with diabetes mellitus and can cause end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is widely used in China to treat DKD, and in particular microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria. This study will address the efficacy and safety of Shenzhuo Formula (SZF), a frequently prescribed TCM, in DKD patients with macroalbuminuria. Methods/design This study is a 24-week, randomized, multi-center, double-blinded, double-dummy, controlled, clinical trial that will include 120 DKD patients aged 18 to 80 years old with a 24-h urinary protein (24-h UP) level of between 0.5 g and 3 g and serum creatinine (SCr) ≤ 133 μmol/L (1.5 mg/dL) and compare SZF to irbesartan. The 24-h UP change from baseline to week 24 will represent the primary endpoint with secondary endpoints including SCr, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), TCM symptoms, urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER), etc. Safety assessments will also be evaluated. Discussion This study will provide initial evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of SZF relative to irbesartan in the treatment of DKD patients with macroalbuminuria. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ID: ChiCTR-ICR-15006311. Registered on 15 April 2015.

Abstract Background Diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSPN) is one of the most common microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus, and it has become a major public health problem worldwide because of its high and increasing prevalence, morbidity, and disability rate. The current medications for DSPN are not entirely satisfactory. Preliminary studies indicated that the Chinese herbal TangBi Formula may alleviate signs and symptoms and improve the velocity of nerve conduction in patients with DSPN. This study was designed to determine if Chinese herbal medicine used in combination with conventional treatment is more effective than conventional treatment alone. Methods/design We are conducting a multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial as a means of assessing the therapeutic effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment. A total of 188 patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to a treatment group (TangBi Formula plus mecobalamin) and a control group (placebo plus mecobalamin). The test period lasts 6 months, during which all of the patients will be given standard medical care as recommended by established guidelines. The primary outcome will be development of differences in changes in clinical symptoms and signs in patients and changes in Michigan Diabetic Neuropathy Score (MDNS) between the two groups before and after treatment. The secondary outcome will be changes in nerve conduction velocity and in single clinical signs and symptoms. Safety assessments and adverse events will also be evaluated. Discussion We postulate that patients with DSPN will benefit from therapy that includes TCM. If successful, this work will provide an evidence-based complementary therapeutic approach for treatment of DSPN. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03010241 . Registered on 2 January 2017

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are a novel family of innate immune cells that act as key coordinators of intestinal mucosal surface immune defense and are essential for maintaining intestinal homeostasis and barrier integrity by responding to locally produced effector cytokines or direct recognition of exogenous or endogenous danger patterns. ILCs are also involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Many studies have demonstrated the occurrence of crosstalk between ILCs and intestinal microbiota, and ILCs have recently been shown to be connected to the enteric nervous system (ENS). Thus, ILCs may act as a key link between the nervous system and microbiota in intestinal networks. In this review, we briefly summarize the role of the ILCs in the intestinal tract (particularly in the context of IBD) and discuss the relationship between ILCs and the microbiota/ENS.

Objective: This meta-analysis was performed to systematically assess the efficacy and safety of the Chinese herbal medicine Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction (HGWWD) for treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Data sources: Six electronic databases, including the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE database, Chinese Biomedical Database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Chinese Science and Technique Journals Database, and the Wanfang Database, were searched on the internet for randomized controlled trials published up until 1 December 2015. The search terms included “Chinese herbal medicine”, “diabetic peripheral neuropathy” and “randomized controlled trials” in Chinese and in English. Data selection: We included randomized controlled trials using HGWWD/modified HGWWD for the treatment group, without restriction for the control group. We assessed literature quality in accordance with the Cochrane Review Handbook. A random or a fixed effects model was used to analyze outcomes using RevMan 5.2 software. Outcome measures: The primary outcomes were changes in symptoms and nerve conduction velocities. The secondary outcomes were fasting blood glucose and hemorheological indexes. Results: Sixteen randomized controlled trials, with a total of 1,173 patients, were included. Meta-analysis revealed that the efficacy of HGWWD for diabetic peripheral neuropathy was significantly superior compared with the control treatment (i.e., control group) (risk ratio = 0.36, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.29–0.46, Z =8.33, P < 0.00001) Compared with the control group, there was an increase in median motor nerve conduction velocity (mean difference (MD) = 3.46, 95%CI: 1.88–5.04, Z = 4.30, P < 0.01) and median sensory nerve conduction velocity (MD = 3.30, 95%CI: 2.04–4.56, Z = 5.14, P < 0.01). There was also an increase in peroneal motor nerve conduction velocity (MD = 3.22, 95%CI: 2.45–3.98, Z = 8.21, P < 0.01) and peroneal sensory nerve conduction velocity (MD = 3.05, 95%CI: 2.01–4.09, Z = 5.75, P < 0.01) in the treatment groups. No significant difference in fasting blood glucose was found between the treatment groups and the control groups (MD = −0.12, 95%CI: −0.42–0.19, Z = 0.76, P = 0.45). Plasma viscosity was significantly decreased after treatment (MD = −0.11, 95%CI: −0.21 to −0.02, Z = 2.30, P = 0.02). No significant difference in fibrinogen was detectable (MD = −0.53, 95%CI: −1.28–0.22, Z = 1.38, P = 0.17). Four trials reported that treatment groups experienced no adverse reactions. Adverse events were not mentioned in the other 12 trials. No trial reported the incidence of complications, quality of life outcomes, or health economics. Conclusion: HGWWD treatment improves diabetic neurologic symptoms and ameliorates nerve conduction velocities. Our study suggests that HGWWD may have significant therapeutic efficacy for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. However, the methodological quality of the randomized controlled trials was generally low. Larger and better-designed randomized controlled trials are required to more reliably assess the clinical effectiveness of HGWWD.

For a foam-covered sea surface, it is difficult to retrieve sea surface salinity (SSS) with L-band brightness temperature (1.4 GHz) because of the effect of a foam layer with wind speeds stronger than 7 m/s, especially at low sea surface temperature (SST). With foam-controlled experiments, emissivities of a foam-covered water surface at low SST (−1.4 °C to 1.7 °C) are measured for varying SSS, foam thickness, incidence angle, and polarization. Furthermore, a theoretical model of emissivity is introduced by combining wave approach theory with the effective medium approximation method. Good agreement is obtained upon comparing theoretical emissivities with those of experiments. The results indicate that foam parameters have a strong influence on increasing emissivity of a foam-covered water surface. Increments of experimental emissivities caused by foam thickness of 1 cm increase from about 0.014 to 0.131 for horizontal polarization and 0.022 to 0.150 for vertical polarization with SSS increase and SST decrease. Contributions of the interface between the foam layer and water surface to the foam layer emissivity increments are discussed for frequencies between 1 and 37 GHz.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) performs a good clinical practice and is showing a bright future in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM). TCM treatment has certain advantages of less toxicity and/or side effects, and herbs could provide multiple therapeutic effects. Berberine (BBR) is a classical natural medicine. In this review, we summarize the application of BBR in the treatment of DM from two aspects. First, modern pharmacological effects of BBR on glucose metabolism are summarized, such as improving insulin resistance, promoting insulin secretion, inhibiting gluconeogenesis in liver, stimulating glycolysis in peripheral tissue cells, modulating gut microbiota, reducing intestinal absorption of glucose, and regulating lipid metabolism. BBR is used to treat diabetic nephropathy (DPN), diabetic neuropathy (DN), and diabetic cardiomyopathy due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Second, the clinical application of BBR is reviewed, such as listing some clinical trials on the effectiveness and safety of BBR, explaining applicable stage and syndrome, the reasonable dose and dose formulation, and the toxicity and/or side effects. This review provides scientific evidence about BBR, as well as introducing some traditional Chinese medical theory and clinical experience, in order to guide clinician to use BBR more suitably and reasonably.

Diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus, marked by gastrointestinal motility disorder, a delayed gastric emptying present in the absence of mechanical obstruction. Clinical manifestations include postprandial fullness and epigastric discomfort, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. DGP may significantly affect the quality of life and productivity of patients. Research on the relationship between gastrointestinal dynamics and DGP has received much attention because of the increasing prevalence of DGP. Gastrointestinal motility disorders are closely related to a variety of factors including the absence and destruction of interstitial cells of Cajal, abnormalities in the neuro-endocrine system and hormone levels. Therefore, this study will review recent literature on the mechanisms of DGP and gastrointestinal motility disorders as well as the development of prokinetic treatment of gastrointestinal motility disorders in order to give future research directions and identify treatment strategies for DGP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to compare the different effects of berberine (Ber) and Coptischinensis extract (CCE) on a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and the islet Rin‑5f cell line was used to examine the differences between Ber and CCE and the underlying mechanisms. CCE was extracted and purified prior to analysis. Male Sprague‑Dawley rats were provided with a high‑fat diet to induce insulin resistance prior to injecting with streptozotocinto establish the T2DM model, the T2DM rats were treated with Ber and CCE, and blood samples and pancreatic tissues were obtained and compared to examine T2DM metabolic syndromes among the groups of rats, which included healthy rats, model rats, and model rats treated with Ber and CCE at different doses between 0 and 8 weeks. The protective effects of Ber and CCE on the Rin‑5f islet cell line were also evaluated. The effects on Rin‑5f cell proliferation and cell cycle, glucose‑stimulated insulin release test (GSIS), the anti‑apoptotic effects caused by fat induction, and protein expression levels of poly ADP‑ribose polymerase (PARP‑1) were evaluated. The results showed that the content of the prepared CCE was 96.07% for five alkaloids. When it was used for treatment of the T2DM rats, compared with Ber, metformin and rosiglitazone, the fasting blood glucose, glucosylated serum protein (GSP) and glucose infusion rate indicesin the fasting rats were ameliorated, compared with those in the T2MD rats, with no significant differences between treatment with Ber or CCE and metformin or rosiglitazone. The indices of mean optical density and fasting β‑cell function index (FBCI) were different following treatment with Ber and CCE, compared with those in the model rats, which may have stimulated the pancreatic secretion of insulin. When Ber and CCE were used to examine the protective effects on Rin‑5F cells, it was found that the Rin‑5f cell GSIS, cell cycle, lipotoxic islet cell proliferation and protein expression of PARP‑1 were altered and improved, which may have protected pancreatic islet β‑cells by improving islet β‑cell proliferation and the protein expression of PARP‑1. CCE and Ber exerted similar effects when used for the treatment of T2MD rats, and may have stimulated the pancreatic secretion of insulin through the protective effect on islet β‑cells via improving islet β‑cell proliferation and the protein expression of PARP‑1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coptidis rhizoma (Coptis) and its alkaloids exert various pharmacological functions in cells and tissues; however, the oral absorption of these alkaloids requires further elucidation. The present study aimed to examine the mechanism underlying the poor absorption of alkaloids, including berberine (BER), coptisine (COP), palmatine (PAL) and jatrorrhizine (JAT). An ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) method was validated for the determination of BER, COP, PAL and JAT in the above experimental medium. In addition, the apparent oil-water partition coefficient (Po/w); apparent permeability coefficient (Papp), determined using a parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA) plate; membrane retention coefficient (R %); and effect of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitor on the Papp of the four alkaloids were investigated. The intestinal absorption rate constant (Ka) and absorption percentage (A %) of the four alkaloids were also determined. The results of the present study demonstrated that the Po/w of the four alkaloids in 0.1 mol·l-1 HCl medium was significantly higher (P<0.01), compared with those of the alkaloids in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). The Papp of BER was 1.0-1.2x10-6 cm·s-1, determined using a PAMPA plate, and the Papp of BER, COP, PAL and JAT decreased sequentially. The concentrations of the four alkaloids on the apical-to-basolateral (AP-BL) surface and the basolateral-to-apical (BL-AP) surface increased in a linear manner, with increasing concentrations between 10 and 100 μmol. In addition, the transportation of BER on the BL-AP surface was significantly faster (P<0.01), compared with that on the AP-BL surface and, following the addition of verpamil (a P-gp inhibitor), the Papp (AP-BL) of the four alkaloids increased, whereas the Papp (BL-AP) was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The rat intestinal perfusion experiment demonstrated that the four alkaloids were poorly absorbed; however, the Ka of BER was significantly higher, compared with the three other alkaloids. Furthermore, the A % and Ka provided evidence that the absorption of BER was increased in the jejunum, compared with in the ileum. In conclusion, the four alkaloids from Coptis appeared to be poorly absorbed, determined using a shake flask, pre-coated PAMPA plates, a Caco-2 cell monolayer model and intestinal perfusion; however, absorption was higher in the jejunum than in the ileum. Among the four alkaloids, the permeability of BER was markedly higher than the others, and P-gp efflux had a significant effect on the absorption of those alkaloids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Therapeutic interventions in prediabetes are important in the primary prevention of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its chronic complications. However, little is known about the pharmacogenetic effect of traditional herbs on prediabetes treatment. A total of 194 impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) subjects were treated with traditional hypoglycemic herbs (Tianqi Jiangtang) for 12 months in this study. DNA samples were genotyped for 184 mutations in 34 genes involved in drug metabolism or transportation. Multinomial logistic regression analysis indicated that rs1142345 (A > G) in the thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) gene was significantly associated with the hypoglycemic effect of the drug (P = 0.001, FDR P = 0.043). The "G" allele frequencies of rs1142345 in the healthy (subjects reverted from IGT to normal glucose tolerance), maintenance (subjects still had IGT), and deterioration (subjects progressed from IGT to T2D) groups were 0.094, 0.214, and 0.542, respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that rs1142345 was also significantly associated with the hypoglycemic effect of the drug between the healthy and maintenance groups (P = 0.027, OR = 4.828) and between the healthy and deterioration groups (P = 0.001, OR = 7.811). Therefore, rs1142345 was associated with the clinical effect of traditional hypoglycemic herbs. Results also suggested that TPMT was probably involved in the pharmacological mechanisms of T2D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]