PMID: 

Neuropediatrics. 2019 Aug 29. Epub 2019 Aug 29. PMID: 31466110

Abstract Title: 

Acupuncture in Adult and Pediatric Headache: A Narrative Review.

Abstract: 

Headaches in children and adolescents remain a very common problem with migraine being the most common headache disorder to present to medical attention. The approach to the treatment of migraine in children has consisted of treatment with acute and preventive medications, combined with lifestyle modification and behavioral interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. With increasing frequency, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches, including acupuncture, are often recommended in the pediatric population to address significant disability with limited evidence-based treatment options. In this article, the authors conduct a review of acupuncture in pediatric headache, including neurobiological mechanisms, adult headache studies, pediatric headache studies, safety, and use of acupuncture in other conditions in children. This article aims to summarize the currently available evidence with which to recommend acupuncture in children for the adjunctive treatment of headache. Acupuncture appears to be safe and effective for the treatment of migraine in children.

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PMID: 

Cell Commun Signal. 2019 Aug 20 ;17(1):100. Epub 2019 Aug 20. PMID: 31429764

Abstract Title: 

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester suppresses androgen receptor signaling and stability via inhibition of phosphorylation on Ser81 and Ser213.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Androgen receptor (AR) plays important role in the development, progression, and metastasis of prostate cancer (PCa). Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is the main component of honey bee propolis. We determined if CAPE affects the signaling and stability of AR in PCa cells.METHODS: Effects of CAPE on AR transcriptional activity and localization were determined by reporter gene assay and immunofluorescent microscopy. Western blotting, fluorescent polarization, computer simulation, and animal experiment were performed to investigate the molecular mechanism how CAPE reduces the stability of AR.RESULTS: CAPE treatment dose-dependently suppressed the transcriptional activity of AR as well as the protein levels of AR and its target gene PSA. Cyclohexamide treatment revealed that androgen stabilized AR protein, but AR stability was diminished by CAPE. Fluorescence microscopy demonstrated that androgen promoted the nucleus translocation of AR in PCa cells, while treatment with CAPE reduced protein level of AR in both nucleus and cytoplasm. CAPE treatment suppressed the phosphorylation of Ser81 and Ser213 on AR, which regulates the stability of AR. CDK1 and AKT are the kinases phosphorylating Ser81 and Ser213 on AR, respectively. CAPE treatment significantly reduced the protein level and activity of CDK1 and AKT in PCa cells. Overexpression of CDK1 or AKT rescued the AR protein level under CAPE treatment.CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that CAPE treatment reduced AR stability and AR transcriptional activity in PCa cells, implying the possibility of using CAPE as a treatment for advanced PCa.

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PMID: 

Biomed Pharmacother. 2019 Feb ;110:918-929. Epub 2018 Dec 17. PMID: 30572196

Abstract Title: 

Arctium lappa L. root extract induces cell death via mitochondrial-mediated caspase-dependent apoptosis in Jurkat human leukemic T cells.

Abstract: 

Arctium lappa L. is a perennial herb traditionally consumed to improve well-being. It has been widely reported for its antioxidant properties; however, very little is known for its exact mechanisms underlying the anticancer activity. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of anticancer action for different A. lappa root extracts. Arctium lappa root was extracted with ethanol, hexane and ethyl acetate, then examined for in vitro anticancer activity against cancerous HeLa, MCF-7, Jurkat cell lines and non-cancerous 3T3 cell lines. Induction of apoptosis was determined by cellular morphological changes, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ), caspase-3/7 activity and DNA fragmentation. The active compounds present in the most potent root extracts were identified by LC-ESI-MS. Among all the extracts, ethyl acetate root extract has the highest potency with ICof 102.2 ± 42.4 μg/ml, followed by ethanolic root extract in Jurkat T cells, at 24 h. None of the extracts were cytotoxic against 3T3 cells, suggesting that the extracts were selective against cancerous cells only. Both ethyl acetate and ethanolic root extracts exhibited significant morphologicalchanges in Jurkat T cells, including the detachment from adjacent cells, appearance of apoptotic bodies and cells shrinkage. The extracts treated cells also displayed an increase in caspase-3/7 activity and alteration in mitochondrial membrane potential. Only ethyl acetate root extract at ICinduced DNA fragmentation in Jurkat T cells. LC-ESI-MS analysis of the extract revealed the presence of 8 compounds, of which only 6 compounds with various biological activities reported. These findings suggest that the ethyl acetate extract of A. lappa had strong anticancer potential and induced intrinsic apoptosis via loss ofΔΨand activation of caspase-3/7 This study can provide new insight to the discovery of new promising lead compound in chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic strategies.

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PMID: 

Carbohydr Polym. 2019 Jun 1 ;213:89-99. Epub 2019 Feb 27. PMID: 30879693

Abstract Title: 

Structural characterization of water-soluble polysaccharide from Arctium lappa and its effects on colitis mice.

Abstract: 

In this study, water-soluble polysaccharide from Arctium lappa was extracted, isolated and purified to be a fraction (ALP-1). Characterization of structure revealed that ALP-1 was a kind of fructan with a molecular weight of 5.12 × 10 Da. ALP-1 was composed of (2→ 1)-β-d-fructofuranose backbone linked to a terminal of (2 → 1)-α-d-glucopyranose at the non-reducing end and a (2 → 6)-β-d-fructofuranose branching. DSS-induced colitis mice were used to determine the inhibitory effects of ALP-1 on gut inflammation. Resultsindicated that ALP-1 could significantly ameliorate the dysregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) caused by colitis. Besides, as compared with model group, the abundance of Firmicutes, Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae and Lactobacillus were significantly increased with ALP-1 treatment. And ALP-1 could significantly inhibit the levels of Proteobacteria, Alcaligenaceae, Staphylococcusand and Bacteroidetes. Therefore, ALP-1 may be effective in protecting mice from DSS-induced colitis.

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PMID: 

Am J Transl Res. 2019 ;11(7):3992-4009. Epub 2019 Jul 15. PMID: 31396314

Abstract Title: 

Systematic understanding of the mechanism and effects of Arctigenin attenuates inflammation in dextran sulfate sodium-induced acute colitis through suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome by SIRT1.

Abstract: 

Arctigenin (ARC-G) is the main active ingredient extracted from Great Burdock Achene, with extensive pharmacological effects. In addition, ARC-G has been suggested to show excellent efficacy on inflammatory disease. This study aimed to defined that the function of Arctigenin attenuates inflammation in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute colitis, to determine its possible mechanism. Mice was induced by giving 2.0% DSS in the drinking water for DSS-induced acute colitis. Mice of acute colitis were injected intraperitoneally with 20 mg/kg per day of Arctigenin for 7 days. MPO activity levels were measured using MPO activity kits. Western Blot Analysis was used to determine the protein expression. Arctigenin prevents colitis and attenuates inflammation in DSS-induced acute colitis. Arctigenin suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome by SIRT1 in DSS-induced acute colitis. In THP-1 cell by LPS model, Arctigenin suppressed NLRP3, caspase-1 and IL-1β protein expression by SIRT1. Si-NLRP3 increases the effects of Arctigenin on inflammation in THP-1 cell by LPS model. Si-SIRT1 decreases the effects of Arctigenin on inflammation in THP-1 cell by LPS model. INF39, NLRP3 inhibitor also increased the effects of Arctigenin on inflammation in DSS-induced acute colitis. SIRT1 inhibitor also decreases the effects of Arctigenin on inflammation in DSS-induced acute colitis. Taken together our results demonstrated that Arctigenin attenuates inflammation in DSS-induced acute colitis through suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome by SIRT1.

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PMID: 

Phytomedicine. 2019 Mar 1 ;55:282-292. Epub 2018 Aug 11. PMID: 30668440

Abstract Title: 

Arctiin is a pharmacological inhibitor of STAT3 phosphorylation at tyrosine 705 residue and potentiates bortezomib-induced apoptotic and anti-angiogenic effects in human multiple myeloma cells.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Arctiin is a main component from the fruits of Arctium lappa L., that can be prescribed for cold or flu in East Asian countries; it has also been found to exert chemopreventive actions against various tumor cells.HYPOTHESIS: In view of this evidence, we examined arctiin for its ability to trigger apoptosis and inhibit the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in human multiple myeloma (MM) cells.METHODS: We evaluated the effect of arctiin on STAT3 signaling cascades and its regulated functional responses in MM cells.RESULTS: Arctiin effectively blocked the constitutive activation of STAT3 phosphorylation in the residue of tyrosine 705. Arctiin also abrogated the constitutive activation of Src phosphorylation and Janus-activated kinases (JAKs) 1/2. Furthermore, it was found that arctiin treatment clearly enhanced the mRNA and protein levels of protein tyrosine phosphataseε (PTPε), and the silencing of PTPε caused a reversal of the arctiin-induced PTPε expression and the blockadge of STAT3 phosphorylation. Interestingly, arctiin could not repress IL-6-induced STAT3 activation in serum-starved U266 cells and when arctiin was incubated with a complete culture medium in RPMI 8226 and MM.1S cells. Arctiin suppressed cell proliferation, accumulated cells in the G2/M cell-cycle phase, and induced apoptosis within U266 cells, although the knockdown of PTPε prevented PARP cleavage and caspase-3 activation induced by the arctiin. In addition, arctiin exerted cytotoxicity in MM cells, but did not do so in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Arctiin down-modulated diverse oncogenic gene products regulated by STAT3, although the induction of apoptosis by arctiin was abrogated upon transfection with pMXs-STAT3C in mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells. Arctiin also potentiated bortezomib-induced antitumor effects in U266 cells.CONCLUSION: On the whole, our results indicate that arctiin is a potentially new inhibitor of constitutive STAT3 activation through the induction of PTPε in MM, cells and therefore has great value in treating various tumors sheltering constitutively activated STAT3.

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PMID: 

Int J Biol Macromol. 2019 Sep 1 ;136:115-122. Epub 2019 Jun 10. PMID: 31195041

Abstract Title: 

Regulation of lipid metabolism in diabetic rats by Arctium lappa L. polysaccharide through the PKC/NF-κB pathway.

Abstract: 

Diabetic patients often have lipid metabolism disorders, which can lead to life-threatening complications. In this study, we investigated the regulatory effects of polysaccharides extracted from Arctium lappa L. on lipid metabolism in diabetic rats. We constructed a diabetes mellitus mouse model with streptozocin, and treated the rats with A. lappa L. polysaccharide. The body weight analysis showed that the weight of diabetic rats significantly decreased, but the weight of the rats in the polysaccharide treatment groups increased and the ratio of liver weight to body weight also appeared the well effect (tending to normal group). Serum biochemical analysis showed that total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), and the ratio of liver weight to body weight showed a downward trend. In addition, compared to TC/HDL, TG/HDL, and HDL/LDL, the relative content of HDL was increased. Meanwhile, we used Western blotting to detect changes in protein kinase C alpha (PKC-α), PKC-β, P-selectin, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and phosphorylated NF-kB p65 in the liver. The results showed that the A. lappa L. polysaccharides regulated lipid metabolism through the PKC/NF-κB pathway in diabetic rats.

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PMID: 

Int J Biol Macromol. 2019 Aug 15 ;135:717-724. Epub 2019 May 23. PMID: 31129217

Abstract Title: 

In vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory effects of water-soluble polysaccharide from Arctium lappa.

Abstract: 

In this study, the purified water-soluble polysaccharide (ALP-1) from Arctium lappa was used to intervene lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 macrophage and systemic inflammatory mice. Our results showed that ALP-1 could effectively accommodate the levels of inflammatory cytokines in macrophages and serum of mice, including increased anti-inflammatory cytokine (interleukin-10) and down-regulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α). Moreover, according to our data from 16 s high-throughput sequencing, as compared with LPS model group, the composition of gut microbiota in mice was ameliorated in ALP-1 treatment group. There were higher levels of several probiotics in the stoolsof ALP-1 treatment group, such as Lactobacillius, Alistipes, Odoribacter, and Phascolarctobacterium. Simultaneously, symbiotic bacteria like Bacteroides were inhibited by ALP-1. Besides, ALP-1 could significantly enhance the production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in gut.

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PMID: 

Medicines (Basel). 2019 Jul 29 ;6(3). Epub 2019 Jul 29. PMID: 31362372

Abstract Title: 

Extract Suppresses Inflammation and Inhibits Melanoma Progression.

Abstract: 

Arctium lappa has been used as popular medicinal herb and health supplement in Chinese societies. Bioactive components fromhave attracted the attention of researchers due to their promising therapeutic effects. In this study, we investigated the effects ofhydroalcoholic extract (Alhe) during different models of inflammation, in vivo.The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated through the air pouch model. For this, mice received an inflammatory stimulus with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and were later injected with Alhe. To assess anti-tumoral activity, the animals were inoculated with B16F10 cells and injected with Alhe every 5 days, along the course of 30 days. Controls were submitted to the same conditions and injected with the vehicle. Peritoneal or air pouch fluids were collected to evaluate leukocyte counting or cellular activation via quantification of cytokines and nitric oxide.Alhe injection reduced the neutrophil influx and production of inflammatory mediators in inflammatory foci after LPS or tumor challenges. Furthermore, Alhe injection reduced tumor growth and enhanced mice survival.Collectively, these data suggest that Alhe regulates immune cell migration and activation, which correlates with favorable outcome in mouse models of acute inflammation and melanoma progression.

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PMID: 

Phytother Res. 2019 Aug 29. Epub 2019 Aug 29. PMID: 31464016

Abstract Title: 

Beneficial effects of celery (Apium graveolens) on metabolic syndrome: A review of the existing evidences.

Abstract: 

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of multiple conditions that includes hypertension, dyslipidemia, abdominal obesity, and hyperglycemia disorders. Most studies revealed that the MetS is accompanied with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, and insulin resistance. It can be said that, in treating or preventing the MetS and its components, lifestyle adjustment and weight loss have a vital role. According to various studies, among natural compounds, celery (Apium graveolens) is one of the most important sources of phytochemicals such as phenolic acids, flavones, flavonols, and antioxidants such as vitamin C, beta-carotene (Provitamin A), and manganese. These antioxidants have a role in decreasing the oxidative damage. The phytochemicals in celery decrease the activity of proinflammatory cytokines and prevent inflammation. Also, flavonoids in celery suppress cardiovascular inflammation. Oxidative stress and inflammation in the blood stream are the main risk factors in increasing cardiovascular disease, especially atherosclerosis. Celery phthalides leads to expanding of smooth muscle in the blood vessels and lower blood pressure. As a result, the most active ingredients in celery (A. graveolens (have shown hypolipidemic, antidiabetic, and hypotensive properties. In this review, we summarized the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of celery components on insulin action, glucose, lipid metabolism, and blood pressure.

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