Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

About: Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine is a education organization based out in Shenyang, China. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Randomized controlled trial & Acupuncture. The organization has 2040 authors who have published 1326 publications receiving 14664 citations.

Icarisid II promotes proliferation and neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells via activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Abstract: Adult neurogenesis plays a vital role in maintaining cognitive functions in mammals and human beings. Mobilization of hippocampal neurogenesis has been regarded as a promising therapeutic approach to restore injured neurons in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Icarisid II (ICS II), an active ingredient derived from Epimedii Folium, has been reported to exhibit multiple neuroprotective effects. In the present study, we investigated the effects of ICS II on the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) and amyloid precusor protein (APP)-overexpressing NSCs (APP-NSCs) in vitro. Our results demonstrated that ICS II dose-dependently suppressed apoptosis and elevated viability of APP-NSCs. ICS II (1 μM) potently promoted proliferation and neuronal differentiation of NSCs and APP-NSCs. ICS II (1 μM) significantly upregulated Wnt-3a expression, increased the phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β and enhanced the nuclear transfer of β-catenin. Moreover, ICS II also promoted astrocytes to secrete Wnt-3a, which positively modulates Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. These findings demonstrate that ICS II promotes NSCs proliferation and neuronal differentiation partly by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

The Diversity of Associated Microorganisms in Different Organs and Rhizospheric Soil of Arctium lappa L.

Abstract: Arctium lappa L. is widely used for medicinal purposes across China, and significant effort has been directed toward enhancing its quality. Association with microorganisms has been shown to influence both plant growth and metabolites, providing a possible avenue for its quality improvement. In this study, we investigated the microorganism compositions of the root, stem, leaf, fruit and rhizospheric soil of A. lappa through high-throughput Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA genes and ITS regions. A total of 796,891 16S rRNA and 626,270 ITS reads were obtained from the samples. Analysis of the sequencing data revealed that bacterial and fungal communities were more diverse in the rhizospheric soil sample compared with other samples. Cyanobacteria, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes phyla were found in all samples. Cyanobacteria was particularly enriched in the root, stem, leaf and fruit at 88.59%, 86.15%, 98.31% and 93.57%, respectively; Actinobacteria was the highest in rhizospheric soil, at 37.53%. Ascomycota was the most dominant fungal phylum, representing 69.17%, 58.18%, 87.93%, 90.18% and 80.21% in the root, stem, leaf, fruit, and rhizospheric soil, respectively. Several novel unclassifiable bacterial and fungal species were also detected. In total, we detected about 922 bacterial and 334 fungal species, which include a number of unclassifiable species. Additionally, the root, stem, leaf, fruit and rhizospheric soil of A. lappa were sources for screening new bioactive metabolites.

Application of Proteomics and Metabonomics to Reveal the Molecular Basis of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizome for Ameliorating Hypothyroidism Instead of Hyperthyroidism

Abstract: As the treatments of diseases with Chinese herbs are holistic and characterized by multiple components, pathways, and targets, elucidating the efficacy of Chinese herbs in treating diseases, and their molecular basis, requires a comprehensive, network-based approach. In this study, we used a network pharmacology strategy, as well as in vivo proteomics and metabonomics, to reveal the molecular basis by which Atractylodis macrocephalae rhizome (AMR) ameliorates hypothyroidism. Eighteen main compounds from AMR and its fractions (volatile oil fraction, crude polysaccharides fraction, lactones fraction, oligosaccharide fraction, and atractyloside fraction) were identified by HPLC, and their targets were screened using the TCMSP database and Swiss Target Prediction. Disease targets were gathered from the TTD, CTD and TCMSP databases. Hub targets were screened by different plug-ins, such as Bisogene, Merge, and CytoNCA, in Cytoscape 3.7.1 software and analyzed for pathways by the DAVID database. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism pharmacological models were established through systems pharmacology based on proteomic and metabolomic techniques. Finally, AMR and its fractions were able to ameliorate the hypothyroidism model to different degrees, whereas no significant improvements were noted in the hyperthyroidism model. The lactones fraction and the crude polysaccharides fraction were considered the most important components of AMR for ameliorating hypothyroidism. These amelioration effects were achieved through promoting substance and energy metabolism. In sum, the integrative approach used in this study demonstrates how network pharmacology, proteomics, and metabolomics can be used effectively to elucidate the efficacy, molecular basis, and mechanism of action of medicines used in TCM.

Glutamine supported early enteral therapy for severe acute pancreatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract: Background and Objectives: Several studies have shown that glutamine (Gln) may play an important role in energy metabolism, inflammatory reactions, and immune processes in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Nevertheless, the results of individual randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on Gln nutrition support for SAP are contradictory. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the clinical benefit of Gln-supported early enteral nutrition (G+EEN) in patients with SAP. Methods and Study Design: Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, CNKI, Wan Fang, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database were searched for relevant studies published before December 2018. RCTs of G+EEN versus standard early enteral nutrition (EEN) for SAP were selected, with both started within 48 h of admission. Results: Seven clinical RCTs including a total of 433 patients (EEN group: 218 patients; G+EEN group: 215 patients) were included. Compared with EEN, G+EEN increased serum albumin (standard mean difference [SMD]=0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.33-1.15; p＜0.01), reduced serum hypersensitive C-reactive protein (SMD=-1.62; 95% CI, -1.98 to -1.26; p＜0.01) and risks of mortality risk (risk ratio= 0.38; 95% CI, 0.16-0.90; p=0.03) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS)(risk ratio=0.37; 95% CI, 0.15-0.94; p＜0.01), and shortened length of hospital stay (SMD=-1.19; 95% CI, -1.88 to 0.49; p＜0.01); moreover, it did not significantly increase the incidence of infection-related complications, operative interventions, or APACHE II scores. Conclusions: G+EEN is beneficial in SAP management.

Structure elucidation and complete NMR spectral assignments of two new oleanane‐type pentacyclic triterpenoid saponins from the husks of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge

Abstract: Two new saponins were isolated from husks of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge and their structures were elucidated as 3-O-[beta-D-galactopyranosyl(1-->2)]-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl(1-->3)-beta-D-methyl glucuronic acid-21-O-(3,4-diangeloyl)-alpha-L-rhamnose-3beta, 16alpha, 21beta, 22alpha, 28beta-pentahydroxyl-22-acetoxy-olean-12-ene(1) and 3-O-[beta-D-galactopyranosyl(1-->2)]-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl(1-->3)-beta-D-methyl glucuronic acid-21,22-O-diangeloyl-3beta,15alpha,16alpha,21beta,22alpha,28beta-hexahydroxyl-olean-12-ene(2) on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR (including (1)H, (13)C-NMR, (1)H-(1)H COSY, HSQC, HMBC and DEPT), ESI-MS spectrometry and chemical methods.