The American journal of Chinese medicine
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In Chinese medicine, fermentation is a highly important processing technology whereby medicinal herbs are fermented under appropriate temperature, humidity, and moisture conditions by means of the action of microorganisms to enhance their original characteristics and/or produce new effects. This expands the scope of such medicines and helps them to meet the stringent demands of clinical application. ⋯ This review serves as an introduction to traditional fermentation technology and its related products, modern fermentation technologies, and the application of fermentation technology in the field of Chinese medicine. Several problems and challenges facing the field are also briefly discussed.
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The loss of skeletal muscle mass and function is a serious consequence of chronic diseases and aging. BST204 is a purified ginseng (the root of Panax ginseng) extract that has been processed using ginsenoside-β-glucosidase and acid hydrolysis to enrich ginsenosides Rg3 and Rh2 from the crude ginseng. BST204 has a broad range of health benefits, but its effects and mechanism on muscle atrophy are currently unknown. ⋯ BST204 prevents myotube atrophy induced by TNF-α through the activation of Akt/mTOR signaling and down-regulation of muscle-specific ubiquitin ligases, MuRF1, and Atrogin-1. Furthermore, BST204 treatment in atrophic myotubes suppresses mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and regulates mitochondrial transcription factors such as NRF1 and Tfam, through enhancing the activity and expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator1α (PGC1α). Collectively, our findings indicate that BST204 improves myotube formation and PGC1α-mediated mitochondrial function, suggesting that BST204 is a potential therapeutic or neutraceutical remedy to intervene muscle weakness and atrophy.
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Pain is a widespread and complex symptom which causes serious emotional and social burdens to individuals and society. Most patients with pain rely heavily on over the counter (OTC) and prescription pain killers. However, there would be a number of issues that arise from the use of pain killers, in which safety and addiction are the most critical issues. ⋯ Acupuncture is being used more widely and with a growing number of people in the treatment of pain because it is safer and has fewer side effects. Along with growing use and interest in acupuncture to treat pain, more attention has been paid to the mechanism underlying its analgesic effect, which is mainly associated with the changes of neurotransmitters. In this review, we summarize and analyze the range and mechanism of acupuncture analgesia treatment.
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Tamoxifen is one of the most common hormone therapy drug for estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer. Tumor cells with drug resistance often cause recurrence and metastasis in cancer patients. Luteolin is a natural compound found from various types of vegetables and exhibit anticancer activity in different cancers. ⋯ Ras gene family (K-Ras, H-Ras, and N-Ras), an activator of PI3K, was transcriptionally repressed by luteolin via induction of tumor suppressor mixed-lineage leukemia 3 (MLL3) expression. MLL3 increases the level of monomethylation of Histone 3 Lysine 4 on the enhancer and promoter region of Ras genes, thus causes repression of Ras expressions. Our finding implies that luteolin was a promising natural agent against tamoxifen resistance of breast cancer.
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Dengue fever is an important epidemic disease with a high prevalence in tropical and subtropical countries. We aimed to investigate the effects of a treatment integrating traditional Chinese (TCM) and Western medicines on dengue inpatients with warning signs (i.e., group B) according to the World Health Organization dengue classification in this retrospective cohort study of medical records. Inpatients who were treated with conventional Western therapies in the absence or presence of TCM were assigned to the control and treatment groups, respectively. ⋯ Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang, Gui Pi Tang, Paeonia suffruticosa, and Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum were the most commonly administered TCM formula and single herbs in this study. Patients in the treatment group experienced a resolution of symptoms, signs, and laboratory data and were discharged smoothly, without deterioration to death or critical care. Our findings suggest that the integration of TCM and Western medicine may yield an appropriate treatment for dengue fever.