The American journal of Chinese medicine
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Scutellaria baicalensis (SB), a herbal medicine, is commonly used to treat metabolic diseases, while Metformin (MF) is a widely used drug for type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether co-treatment of SB with MF could produce a potential therapeutic effect on high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFFD)-induced metabolic dysregulation. First, we optimized the dose of SB (100, 200, 400, and 800[Formula: see text]mg/kg) with MF (200[Formula: see text]mg/kg) in HFFD-induced C57BL6J mice. ⋯ Importantly, controlled the expression of PPAR[Formula: see text], and IL-6 genes in the liver, and expression of BDNF, Glut1, Glut3, and Glut4 genes in the brain. Treatment-specific gut microbial segregation was observed in the PCA chart. Our findings indicate that SB and MF co-treatment is an effective therapeutic approach for HFFD-induced metabolic dysregulation which is operated through the gut-liver-brain axis.
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Blockade of the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome has been shown to be effective in halting the progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Antrodia cinnamomea is a well-known indigenous medicine used by Taiwanese aboriginal tribes. However, its effect on NASH remains unclear. ⋯ ACE significantly inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation in vitro and in vivo. In addition, ACE attenuated the severity of MCD-induced steatohepatitis, reduced the levels of oxidative stress markers, and ameliorated inflammatory responses, but restored autophagic flux. Based on these findings, Antrodia cinnamomea could be developed into an anti-non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/NASH agent.
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Bisphenol A (BPA), which is known to be an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC), is associated not only with estrogen activity and reproductive toxicity but also with a variety of metabolic disorders. BPA affects glucose tolerance, cholesterol biosynthesis, and fatty acid synthesis. Ginseng is a traditional medicinal plant that has been widely used in East Asia for more than 2000 years, and a number of health effects have been reported. ⋯ KRG inhibited the increase in total fatty acid level by BPA as determined by lipid profiling in the liver of OVX mice. In addition, transcriptome analysis showed that KRG inhibited BPA-induced changes in lipid metabolic process-related genes. Our findings suggest that KRG can regulate BPA-induced changes in lipid metabolism.
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As of 22 February 2020, more than 77662 cases of confirmed COVID-19 have been documented globally with over 2360 deaths. Common presentations of confirmed cases include fever, fatigue, dry cough, upper airway congestion, sputum production, shortness of breath, myalgia/arthralgia with lymphopenia, prolonged prothrombin time, elevated C-reactive protein, and elevated lactate dehydrogenase. The reported severe/critical case ratio is approximately 7-10% and median time to intensive care admission is 9.5-10.5 days with mortality of around 1-2% varied geographically. ⋯ We reviewed the latest national and provincial clinical guidelines, retrospective cohort studies, and case series regarding the treatment of COVID-19 by add-on Chinese medicine. We have also reviewed the clinical evidence generated from SARS and H1N1 management with hypothesized mechanisms and latest in silico findings to identify candidate Chinese medicines for the consideration of possible trials and management. Given the paucity of strongly evidence-based regimens, the available data suggest that Chinese medicine could be considered as an adjunctive therapeutic option in the management of COVID-19.
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Stroke is the leading fatal disease in China. This retrospective study aimed to explore the optimal acupuncture intervention time for long-term efficacy on motor dysfunction in patients suffering from acute ischemic stroke through 1-year of follow-up. Three hundred and nine patients collected at Longhua Hospital from January 2016 to December 2017 were classified into 3 groups based on the acupuncture intervention time, including groups A (within 2 days), B (within 3-7 days) and C (within 8-14 days). ⋯ Binary logistic regression analysis suggested that patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) (odds ratio (OR): 3.156), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (OR: 2.563), diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR: 2.174) or stroke history (OR: 1.883) were more inclined to recover poorly from nerve function deficit ([Formula: see text] < 0.05). Earlier acupuncture intervention may have a better long-term effect on motor dysfunction and inflammation during the 1-year follow-up. Moreover, acupuncture within 2 days is probably the optimal treatment time for early recovery on the 90th day.