PMID: 

Acupunct Med. 2020 Jan 30:acupmed2016011263. Epub 2020 Jan 30. PMID: 31996011

Abstract Title: 

Effects of electroacupuncture on functional indices and pS6 expression following acute sciatic nerve crush injury in rats.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on recovery from acute sciatic nerve crush injury and the expression of pS6 in rats.METHODS: A total of 108 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control, model, EA and EA+rapamycin (EA+Rapa) groups. 28 rats were allocated to undergo measurement of sciatic functional index (SFI); one rat in the EA+Rapa group was unsuccessfully modelled and excluded because of an anaesthetic problem. The remaining 80 rats were allocated to undergo Western blot detection of S6 ribosomal protein (pS6, ser240/244). The model was created by mechanical clamping of the sciatic nerve stem. EA stimulation at GB30 and ST36 for 15 min separately was applied once daily for rats in the EA and EA+Rapa groups. For rats in the EA+Rapa group, rapamycin, a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTor) pathway inhibitor, was injected intramuscularly (1 mg/kg/day) near the site of crush injury in the sciatic nerve and an equivalentamount of dimethyl sulfoxide was injected in the other three groups every other day. After treatment for 7, 14, 28 and 42 days post-operation, the SFI of 27 rats was obtained to evaluate recovery of motor function and five rats from each group per stage were used for Western blot detection of pS6.RESULTS: The SFI values showed that EA could significantly promote recovery of the injured sciatic nerve but rapamycin hindered the therapeutic effect of EA. Moreover, immunoblotting indicated that EA improved the expression of pS6 in the area of the sciatic nerve crush injury and local injection of rapamycin near the injured sciatic nerve decreased its expression. The pS6 level correlated with the extent of recovery of the injury.CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that EA may activate the mTOR signalling pathway to enhance expression of pS6 and facilitate recovery following sciatic nerve crush injury.

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PMID: 

Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2019 ;15:3429-3442. Epub 2019 Dec 13. PMID: 31997879

Abstract Title: 

Electroacupuncture Promoting Axonal Regeneration in Spinal Cord Injury Rats via Suppression of Nogo/NgR and Rho/ROCK Signaling Pathway.

Abstract: 

Purpose: To observe the changes of Nogo/NgR and Rho/ROCK signaling pathway-related gene and protein expression in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI) treated with electroacupuncture (EA) and to further investigate the possible mechanism of EA for treating SCI.Methods: Allen's method was used to create the SCI rat model. Sixty-four model rats were further subdivided into four subgroups, namely, the SCI model group (SCI), EA treatment group (EA), blocking agent Y27632 treatment group (Y27632) and EA+blocking agent Y27632 treatment group (EA+Y), according to the treatment received. The rats were subjected to EA and/or blocking agent Y27632 treatment. After 14 days, injured spinal cord tissue was extracted for analysis. The mRNA and protein expression levels were determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Cell apoptosis changes in the spinal cord were evaluated by in situ hybridization. Hindlimb motor function in the rats was evaluated by Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan assessment methods.Results: Except for RhoA protein expression, compared with the SCI model group, EA, blocking agent Y27632 and EA+blocking agent Y27632 treatment groups had significantly reduced mRNA and protein expression of Nogo-A, NgR, LINGO-1, RhoA and ROCK II in spinal cord tissues, increased mRNA and protein expression of MLCP, decreased p-MYPT1 protein expression and p-MYPT1/MYPT1 ratio, and caspase3 expression, and improved lower limb movement function after treatment for 14 days (P

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PMID: 

Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2019 Dec 25 ;44(12):884-7. PMID: 31867907

Abstract Title: 

[Instant adjustive effect of auricular electroacupuncture on brain default model network of patients with primary insomnia].

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the immediate brain effect of auricular electroacupuncture (EA) in the treatment of primary insomnia (PI).METHODS: In this study, 15 subjects with PI who were diagnosed according to Pitsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and other 15 age- and gender-matched subjects without insomnia were recruited in the present study. The PI patients received EA (4 Hz/20 Hz, a tolerable electrical current strength) of auricular concha for 30 min, and their resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data before and after treatment were collected. The healthy subjects received no any treatment and their resting state fMRI data were collected. The diffe-rence of default mode network functional connectivity between the patients and healthy subjects, and changes of the patient's brain functional connectivity after EA treatment were estimated by using seed-point-based analysis (SPBA).RESULTS: Analysis by taking the posterior cingulate gyrus as the seed-point showed that compared with the healthy participants before treatment, the patient's brain functional connectivity between the posterior cingulate gyrus and the right insula, or the inferior frontal gyrus of the right opercularis region, or the right rolandic operculum was increased. After 30 minutes' EA treatment, the functional connectivity between the posterior cingulate gyrus and the precuneus, the left angular gyrus, the left frontal superior gyrus, the left frontal middle cortex, the right temporalis inferior gyrus, the right temporalis middle gyrus or the left medial orbitofrontal cortex was decreased, while the functional connectivity between the posterior cingulate gyrus and the right lingual gyrus, or the cortex surrounding the right calcarine fissure was increased.CONCLUSION: EA of auricular concha has an instant effect in modulating the brain default mode network in PI patients, which may be its brain mechanism underlying improvement of PI.

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PMID: 

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019 ;2019:6471560. Epub 2019 Dec 18. PMID: 31929817

Abstract Title: 

Auricular Acupuncture Associated with Reduced Waist Circumference in Overweight Women-A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract: 

Obesity and subsequent ill health have reached epidemic proportions in developed countries, and many developing countries are on the same trajectory. Weight loss and sustaining a healthy weight have posed a significant challenge for individuals, patients, health-care providers, and public health experts. The literature suggests that dietary advice and lifestyle changes alone have limited sustainable impact for those who are seeking to achieve a healthy weight. Supplementary techniques to control weight, such as acupuncture and auricular acupuncture (AA), have shown mixed results and failed to clearly demonstrate a conclusive impact. This study aimed to provide clarity about the impact of AA on weight loss via a randomized controlled trial. Data were collected from patients to identify measurable girth reduction, weight loss, dietary choices, and mood changes over seven weekly sessions of AA ( = 30) versus sham needle as control ( = 28). Results demonstrated a large and highly significant AA treatment effect for reduced waist circumference over the course of the seven-week intervention. While the treatment effect for weight loss and BMI was not significant, this negative result may have been mediated by the relatively short duration of the study. Results also demonstrated a significant mood improvement across participants in both the AA intervention and control group as the intervention progressed. Further studies are required to determine if the reduction in waist circumference is driven specifically by the AA alone or in conjunction with improved mood. The results also have potentially significant implications for healthcare delivery in the fight against overweight and obesity.

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PMID: 

Mar Drugs. 2019 Dec 10 ;17(12). Epub 2019 Dec 10. PMID: 31835446

Abstract Title: 

Inhibitory Effect of Depolymerized Sulfated Galactans from Marine Red Algae on the Growth and Adhesion of Diarrheagenic.

Abstract: 

Active polysaccharides as safe and natural polymers against bacterial diarrhea have been reconsidered as an alternative to antibiotics. This work investigated the inhibiting effect of depolymerized sulfated galactans fromandon the growth and adhesion of diarrheagenic enterotoxigenic(ETEC) K88. Results showed that the sulfated polysaccharides with molecular weight distribution≤20.0 kDa exhibited antibacterial activity against ETEC K88. A structure-activity study revealed that the anti-ETEC K88 activity of sulfated polysaccharides is strictly determined by their molecular weight distribution, sulfate group content, and monosaccharide composition. In addition, the promoted nucleic acid release and the fluorescence quenching of membrane proteins were observed after the treatment with selected polysaccharides. Scanning electron microscopy further confirmed that the depolymerized sulfated galactans can effectively inhibit ETEC K88 adhesion. In conclusion, depolymerized sulfated galactans exhibited an inhibitory effect on the growth and adhesion of ETEC K88.

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PMID: 

Complement Ther Med. 2020 Jan ;48:102242. Epub 2019 Nov 13. PMID: 31987224

Abstract Title: 

Endocannabinoid system in irritable bowel syndrome and cannabis as a therapy.

Abstract: 

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) global burden is underestimated despite its high prevalence. It's a gastrointestinal disease having obscure pathophysiology with multiple therapies yet unsatisfactory remedies. The Endocannabinoid system (ECS) of our body plays a key role in maintaining normal physiology of the gastrointestinal tract as well as involves abnormalities including functional diseases like IBS. This review highlights the importance of the Endocannabinoid system, its connections with the normal gastrointestinal functions and abnormalities like IBS. It also discusses the role of cannabis as medical therapy in IBS patients. A literature search for articles related to endocannabinoids in IBS and medical cannabis in PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted. The studies highlighted the significant participation of ECS in IBS. However, the breach in obtaining the promising therapeutic model for IBS needed further investigation in ECS and uncover other treatments for IBS. This review summarizes ECS, highlights the relationship of ECS with IBS and explores cannabis as a potential therapy to treat IBS.

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PMID: 

Kobe J Med Sci. 2019 Nov 12 ;65(2):E71-E79. Epub 2019 Nov 12. PMID: 31956259

Abstract Title: 

Antiviral Activity of Cananga odorata Against Hepatitis B Virus.

Abstract: 

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can lead to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current therapeutic drugs for chronic hepatitis B using pegylated interferons and nucleos(t)ide analogs have limited efficacy. Therefore, the development of novel and safe antivirals is required. Natural products including medicinal plants produce complex and structurally diverse compounds, some of which offer suitable targets for antiviral screening studies. In the present study, we screened various crude extracts from Indonesian plants for anti-HBV activity by determining their effects on the production of extracellular HBV DNA in Hep38.7-Tet cells and HBV entry onto a HBV-susceptible cell line, HepG2-NTCP, with the following results: (1) In Hep38.7-Tet cells, Cananga odorata exhibited the highest anti-HBV activity with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 56.5µg/ml and 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) of 540.2 µg/ml (Selectivity Index: 9.6). (2) The treatment of HepG2-NTCP cells with Cassia fistula, C. odorata, and Melastoma malabathricum at concentrations of 100 µg/ml lowered the levels of HBsAg production to 51.2%, 58.0%, and 40.1%, respectively,compared to untreated controls, and IC50 and CC50 values of C. odorata were 142.9 µg/ml and>400µg/ml. In conclusion, the C. odorata extract could be a good candidate for the development of anti-HBV drugs.

PMID: 

Molecules. 2019 Oct 29 ;24(21). Epub 2019 Oct 29. PMID: 31671906

Abstract Title: 

Antioxidant, Xanthine Oxidase,α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activities of Bioactive Compounds fromL. Root.

Abstract: 

The root ofL. has been shown to possess anti-gout and anti-diabetic properties, but the compounds responsible for these pharmaceutical effects have not yet been reported. In this study, we aimed to isolate and purify active components from the root of, and to evaluate their anti-radical, anti-gout and anti-diabetic capacities. From the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract, two compounds, chrysophanol () and physcion (), were isolated by column chromatography with an elution of hexane and EtOAc at a 9:1 ratio. Their structures were identified by spectrometric techniques including gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), X-ray diffraction analyses and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The results of bioassays indicated that () showed stronger activities than (). For antioxidant activity, () and () exhibited remarkable DPPH radical scavenging capacity (IC= 9.8 and 12.1µg/mL), which was about two times stronger than BHT (IC= 19.4µg/mL). The anti-gout property of () and () were comparable to the positive control allopurinol, these compounds exerted strong inhibition against the activity of xanthine oxidase (IC= 36.4 and 45.0µg/mL, respectively). In the anti-diabetic assay, () and () displayed considerable inhibitory ability onα-glucosidase, their ICvalues (IC= 20.1 and 18.9µg/mL, respectively) were higher than that of standard acarbose (IC= 143.4µg/mL). Findings of this study highlight that () and () may be promising agents to treat gout and diabetes, which may greatly contribute to the medicinal properties ofroot.

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PMID: 

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019 ;2019:6825297. Epub 2019 Oct 30. PMID: 31827556

Abstract Title: 

Evaluation of the Bioactivities ofL. Leaves and Root Extracts Using Toxicity, Antimicrobial, and Antiparasitic Assays.

Abstract: 

Traditional folks in different parts of the world useL. for the treatment of microbial infections, malaria, and sleeping sickness in the form of decoction or tincture. In the search for a natural alternative remedy, this study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial, antitrypanosomal, and antiplasmodial efficacy and the toxicity ofextracts. Antimicrobial potency of the extracts was evaluated using the agar dilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The antitrypanosomal activity of the extracts was evaluated with themodel while the antimalaria potency was tested using3D7 strain. Toxicity was then tested with brine shrimp assay and cytotoxicity (HeLa cells). The acetone extract of the root (RT-ACE) reveals the highest antimicrobial potency with the lowest MIC value of

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PMID: 

Int Immunopharmacol. 2019 Aug ;73:552-559. Epub 2019 Jun 7. PMID: 31177081

Abstract Title: 

Zerumbone from Zingiber zerumbet inhibits innate and adaptive immune responses in Balb/C mice.

Abstract: 

Zerumbone exhibited various biological properties including in vitro immunosuppressive effects. However, its modulatory activity on the immune responses in experimental animal model is largely unknown. This investigation was conducted to explore the effects of daily treatment of zerumbone (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) isolated from Zingiber zerumbet rhizomes for 14 days on various cellular and humoral immune responses in Balb/C mice. For measurement of adaptive immunity, sheep red blood cells (sRBC) were used to immunize the mice on day 0 and orally fed with similar doses of zerumbone for 14 days. The effects of zerumbone on phagocytosis, nitric oxide (NO) release, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, proliferation of T and B cells, lymphocyte phenotyping, cytokines release in serum by activated T cells, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and immunoglobulins production (IgG and IgM) were investigated. Zerumbone downregulated the engulfment of E. coli by peritoneal macrophages and the release of NO and MPO in a concentration-dependent manner. Zerumbone showed significant and concentration-dependent suppression of T and B lymphocytes proliferation and inhibition of the Th1 and Th2 cytokines release. At higher concentrations of zerumbone, the % expression of CD4and CD8in splenocytes was significantly inhibited. Zerumbone also concentration-dependently demonstrated strong suppression on sRBC-triggered swelling of mice paw in DTH. Substantial suppression of anti-sRBC immunoglobulins antibody titer was noted in immunized and zerumbone-treated mice in a concentration-dependent manner. The potent suppressive effects of zerumbone on the immune responses suggest that zerumbone can be a potential candidate for development of immunosuppressive agent.

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