The American journal of Chinese medicine
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Osteosarcoma (OS) is a type of bone cancer. Eighty percent of this tumor will metastasize to the lungs or liver, and as a result, patients generally need chemotherapy to improve survival possibility. Recently, antitumor activity has been reported in Ocimum gratissimum aqueous extract (OGE), which has been the focus of recent extensive studies on therapeutic strategies due to its antioxidant properties. ⋯ There was no change in human osteoblast hFOS cells. cDNA microarray assay demonstrated that the expression of cell cycle regulators, apoptosis-related factors and cell proliferation markers were all modified by OGE treatment. RT-PCR analysis also confirmed the down-regulation of SKA2 and BUB1B, and the up-regulation of PPP1R15A, SQSTM1, HSPA1B, and DDIT4 by OGE treatment. The finding of anticancer activity in OGE and the identification of some potential target genes raise the expectation that OGE may become a useful therapeutic drug for human OS.
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Astragaloside (AST) is traditionally prescribed for the prevention and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases. We directly tested the therapeutic effects of AST in a rat model of traumatic brain injury (TBI). ⋯ TBI-induced microglial activation evidenced by the morphological transformation of microglia (or ameboid microglia) and the microglial overexpression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha was reduced by AST. Our results indicate that AST may protect against brain contusion and neuronal apoptosis after TBI by attenuating microglia activation in male rats.
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The seeds of Cuscuta chinensis, Cuscutae Semen, are commonly used as a medicinal material for treating the aching and weakness of the loins and knees, tonifying the defects of the liver and the kidney, and treating the diarrhea due to hypofunction of the kidney and the spleen. Since aching and inflammation are highly correlated with such diseases, the aim of this study is to investigate the possible antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of the seeds of C. chinensis. The antinociceptive effect of the seeds of C. chinensis was evaluated via the acetic acid-induced writhing response and formalin-induced paw licking methods. ⋯ In addition, CC MeOH also decreased IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB, TNF-α, and COX-2 levels. This is the first study to demonstrate the possible mechanisms for the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of CC MeOH in vivo. Thus, it provides evidence for the treatment of Cuscutae Semen in inflammatory diseases.
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Chrysin and luteolin are two flavonoids with Peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) stimulating activity. Here, we investigated the protective effect of chrysin and luteolin from vascular complications associated with insulin resistance (IR). IR was induced in rats by drinking fructose for 12 weeks while chrysin and luteolin were given for 6 weeks with or without PPAR-γ antagonist, bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE). ⋯ Both chrysin and luteolin inhibited the developed hyperinsulinemia and increases in serum AGEs, lipids while, BADGE reduced the effect of chrysin on hyperinsulinemia and dyslipidemia. Chrysin and luteolin markedly inhibited elevated NO and ROS in IR aortae while BADGE did not change their effect on NO and ROS. In conclusion, chrysin and luteolin alleviate vascular complications associated with IR mainly through PPAR-γ dependent pathways.
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Meta Analysis
Systematic review of traditional chinese medicine for depression in Parkinson's disease.
Depression is the most common non-motor symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD). Recent clinical trials have evaluated the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of depression in PD (dPD). However, the results are conflicting rather than conclusive. ⋯ Finally, a total of 10 studies involving 582 patients were identified. The pooled results revealed that TCM combined with conventional drugs significantly improved the total scores of the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (WMD = -7.35, 95% CI: -11.24 to -3.47) and the score of the Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAM-D) (WMD = -4.19, 95% CI: -5.14 to -3.24) compared with conventional drug, respectively. Conclusively, there is evidence that TCM may be beneficial to the treatment of dPD in spite of the methodological weakness of the included studies.