Safflower Yellow Injection Research Articles

Safflower Yellow Injection Alleviates Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Reducing Oxidative and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress.

Safflower yellow is an extract of the famous Chinese medicine Carthamus tinctorious L, and safflower yellow injection (SYI) is widely used clinically to treat angina pectoris. However, there are few studies on the anti-myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury effect of SYI, and its mechanisms are unclear. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the protective effect of SYI on myocardial I/R injury and explore its underlying mechanisms. Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group, sham group, model group, and SYI group (20 mg/kg, femoral vein injection 1 h before modeling). The left anterior descending coronary artery was ligated to establish a myocardial I/R model. H9c2 cells were exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) after incubation with 80 μg/mL SYI for 24 h. In vivo, TsTC, HE, and TUNEL staining were performed to evaluate myocardial injury and apoptosis. A kit was used to detect superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) to assess oxidative stress. In vitro, flow cytometry was used to detect the reactive oxygen species (ROS) content and apoptosis rate. Protein levels were determined via Western blotting. Pretreatment with SYI significantly reduced infarct size and pathological damage in rat hearts and suppressed cardiomyocyte apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. In addition, SYI inhibited oxidative stress by increasing SOD activity and decreasing MDA content and ROS production. Myocardial I/R and OGD/R activate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, as evidenced by increased expression of activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase caspase-12, and C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP), which were all inhibited by SYI. SYI ameliorated myocardial I/R injury by attenuating apoptosis, oxidative damage, and ER stress, which revealed new mechanistic insights into its application.

Safflower yellow pigment and Sanqi Panax notoginseng in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and cost-effectiveness analysis.

BackgroundSanqi Panax notoginseng injection and safflower yellow injection were Chinese traditional medicine injections for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and were used to treat acute cerebral infarction patients in public hospital widely. The aim of this study was to compare and analyze the published reports of efficacy and safety of Sanqi Panax notoginseng injection and safflower yellow injection for the treatment of acute cerebral infarction. The cost-effectiveness of these drug formulations was also evaluated.MethodsChina National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, SinoMed, VIP, PubMed, Embase, and the Chinese Biomedical Literature (CBM) were searched with the restrictions keywords in Chinese and English between 2006 and 2019 to obtain RCTs. A meta-analysis and a meta-regression analysis were undertaken in Reviewer Manager 5.3 software to compare the efficacy and safety of Sanqi Panax notoginseng and safflower yellow injection. This study used a decision tree model to analyze the cost-effectiveness of the two treatments. The TreeAge Pro software was used to comprehensively evaluate the economics of these medications.ResultsTwelve papers were all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which Sanqi Panax notoginseng injection was applied in the control group, while safflower yellow injection was applied in the experimental group and the quality of them were good. The results of the 12 papers were compared, and the total effective rate of the treatment group (91.18%) was significant and showed no significant difference with the control group (74.83%) (RR =1.24, 95% CI: 1.19, 1.30, P<0.00001). From the perspective of pharmacoeconomics, compared with Sanqi Panax notoginseng group, the ICER of safflower yellow injection is 3,885.75 RMB. The sensitivity analysis results were consistent with the basic analysis results, indicating that the basic analysis results were relatively stable.ConclusionsComparing with Sanqi Panax notoginseng injection, safflower yellow injection and related combination therapy can improve the total effective rate and are safer with fewer adverse reactions. It is also more cost-effective than the use of Sanqi Panax notoginseng injection.

Research Progress in Chinese Medicine Preparations for Promoting Blood Circulation and Removing Blood Stasis for Cirrhotic Patients with Portal Vein Thrombosis Following Splenectomy.

This article presented an overview of the therapeutic effects of Chinese medicine (CM) preparations for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis for patients with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) after splenectomy. Based on published clinical researches of CM preparations for PVT after splenectomy in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension (CPH), this paper evaluated the incidence of PVT, and explored potential active components and mechanisms of CM preparations. Safflower Yellow Injection, Danshen Injection () Danhong Injection (), and Compound Danshen Dropping Pill () achieved good curative effect alone or combined with anticoagulant therapy. In addition, Compound Biejia Ruangan Tablet () and Anluo Huaxian Pill () can also significantly improve the hemodynamic disorders of portal vein system in patients with cirrhosis. Considering the role of CM preparations in ameliorating the incidence of PVT after splenectomy in patients with CPH, we suggested that future research should provide more attention to CM alone or CM combined with anticoagulant for cirrhosis with PVT.

Study on safflower yellow for injection based on cell degranulation and acute anaphylactoid model

This paper was aimed to establish screening methods of anaphylactoid reaction caused by safflower yellow for injection based on RBL-2 H3 cell degranulation model and mice model for acute anaphylactoid reaction,and evaluate the hypersensitivity caused by safflower yellow for injection from different batches. An in vitro cell model was used to keep the cells stimulated for an hour with different batches of safflower yellow for injection as the drug group,serum-free MEM medium as negative control group and 30 mg·L-1 C48/80 as positive control group respectively. The supernatant was then absorbed,and neutral red staining technique was used to detect the effect of safflower yellow injection on the degranulation of RBL-2 H3 cells with the positive cell rate of degranulation as the indicator.An in vivo model was established to validate the experimental results,and mice model for acute anaphylactoid reaction and ELISA method were adopted to detect the plasma histamine content,and screen the hypersensitivity caused by safflower yellow for injection at the animal level by using plasma histamine content as a test index. The results of the neutral red staining experiments showed that the positive control C48/80 could cause cell degranulation,and most of the cells were deeply stained. There was significant difference in positive cell rate between different batches of safflower yellow and positive control group. In the mice model for acute anaphylactoid reaction,it was found that the positive control C48/80 significantly increased the histamine content in the plasma of mice,while the safflower yellow in each batch did not cause a significant increase in plasma histamine( P<0. 000 1). The mechanism of anaphylactoid reaction is relatively complicated. This study was mainly based on the release of histamine and other active substances by degranulation of mast cells. No significant degranulation reaction of RBL-2 H3 cells induced by safflower yellow for injection was detected,nor was the plasma histamine level significantly increased in mice from the in vitro and in vivo aspects.

Protective effect of safflower yellow injection against rat MIRI by TLR-NF-κB inflammatory pathway

This study was to investigate the mechanism of safflower yellow injection for regulating inflammatory response against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury( MIRI) in rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,Hebeishuang group,safflower yellow injection high,medium and low dose groups. MIRI model was established by ligating left anterior descending coronary artery. Myocardial histopathological changes were observed by HE staining; myocardial infarct size was detected by TTC staining; content and changes of tumor necrosis factor-α( TNF-α) and interleukin-6( IL-6),serum creatine kinase( CK),aspartate aminotransferase( AST),and lactate dehydrogenase( LDH) were detected by biochemical method or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay( ELISA). Western blot assay was used to detect the protein expression of Toll-like receptor 4( TLR4) and nuclear factor-κB( NF-κB p65) in myocardial tissues. The results showed that as compared with the sham operation group,the myocardial arrangement of the model group was disordered,with severe edemain the interstitial,significantly increased area of myocardial infarction,increased activities of AST,CK and LDH in serum,and significantly increased contents of TNF-α and IL-6; the expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB( p65) protein in myocardial tissues were also increased. As compared with the model group,the myocardial tissues were arranged neatlyin the Hebeishuang group and safflower yellow injection high,medium and low dose groups; the edema was significantly reduced; the myocardial infarct size was significantly reduced; the serum AST,CK,LDH activity and TNF-α,IL-6 levels were significantly decreased,and the expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB( p65) protein in myocardial tissues were decreased. As compared with the Hebeishuang group,the myocardial infarct size was larger in the safflower yellow injection high,medium and low dose groups; the activities of AST,CK and LDH in serum and the contents of TNF-α and IL-6 in serum were higher,but there was no statistically significant difference in the expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB( p65) protein in tissues. It is suggested that safflower yellow injection has a significant anti-MIRI effect,and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of TLR-NF-κB pathway to inhibit inflammatory response.

Meta analysis of curative effect of safflower yellow injection on the elderly with early diabetic nephropathy

Objective To systematically evaluate the effects of safflower yellow injection on the treatment of senile early diabetic nephropathy. Methods All databases from January 2000 to June 2017, including the Chinese biomedical literature database (CBM), Chinese Journal Full-text Database (CNKI), Chinese PSTP VIP (VIP) and Wanfang database (WFSD), were searched on the safflower yellow injection for treatment of senile early diabetic nephropathy in randomized controlled trail.Literatures were selected based on inclusion and exclusion standards defined in advance, and their quality was evaluated.The valid data were retrieved and a Meta analysis of the urinary albumin excretion rate and serum creatinine was undertaken using RevMan5.3 Software. Results 16 articles with 1 048 cases were internalized into the study.Among 1 048 cases, 525 cases were treated with safflower yellow injection added to general comprehensive treatment (treatment group), and 523 cases with general comprehensive treatment (control group). The results of meta analysis showed that urinary protein excretion rate 〔WMD (weighted mean difference)=-0.74, 95%CI: -0.85 to -0.63; Z=13.15, P=0.000〕 and serum creatinine level 〔WMD=-4.30, 95%CI: -6.54 to -2.06, Z=3.77, P=0.002〕 were significantly lower in safflower yellow injection added to conventional treatment than in conventional treatment. Conclusions Safflower yellow pigment injection is superior to conventional treatment for senile early diabetic nephropathy, but there are few high quality studies and the sample size is limited, therefore more studies are needed. Key words: Diabetic nephropathies; Meta-analysis

The Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Antithrombosis

Blood stasis syndrome (BSS) or blood stagnation is often understood in terms of hematological disorders such as thrombosis, congestion, hemorrhage, and local ischemia (microclots). In reality, BSS or thrombosis is considered to be closely related to senile diseases such as atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease, and stroke, as well as rheumatoid arthritis, hyperuricemia, and various inflammatory conditions. Therefore, more studies have been undertaken to focus on preventing thrombosis for the treatment of those thrombotic diseases. It is well known that the complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) such as traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have a long history for treating thrombosis or BBS. This special issue is focused on the evidence-based research of the CAMs in antithrombotic therapies and therefore brings more attention from readers and researchers on complementary and alternative therapies for thrombosis. The formation of thrombosis is highly complex. Understanding the molecular functions of thrombosis network is helpful for predicting potential targets for the treatment of thrombosis. X. Kong et al. retrieved pathways and reaction information related to thrombosis from the Reactome database (a peer-reviewed pathway database), then split the complex into separate single proteins, reconnected splitting proteins and detected the relations between the proteins with reacting directions, and finally mapped the integrative and comprehensive molecular network of thrombosis by combining platelet signaling, the coagulation cascade, and natural clot dissolution systems. Moreover, the topological characteristics of the network including the centralities of nodes, network modules, and network robustness were analyzed. However, further pharmaceutical experiments are necessary for eventual validation of network results. In order to reveal the antiatherosclerotic molecular mechanisms of Astragaloside IV (AsIV) from Huangqi (Astragalus membranaceus), H. Qin et al. investigated the effects of AsIV on blood lipids, CD40-CD40L signal system, and SDF-1/CXCR4 biological axis in high-fat diet ApoE−/− mice. Their results proved that AsIV can alleviate the extent of atherosclerosis in aorta of ApoE−/− mice. And AsIV can significantly downregulate PAC-1, CD40L, and CXCR4 expression on platelet surface in blood, as well as mRNA and protein level of SDF-1, CXCR4 in thoracic aorta of the model mice. On the other hand, AsIV could downregulate TG, TC, and LDL-C levels and upregulate HDL-C levels in model mice's blood. Therefore, they made a conclusion that the protective effects of AsIV in atherosclerotic injury may be related to regulating blood lipids, CD40-CD40L system, and SDF-1/CXCR4 biological axis. Safflower Yellow Injection (SYI) has been reported for the treatment of acute cerebral infarction. L.-J. Li et al. investigated the effects of SYI on the patients with acute cerebral infarction. Their results indicated that the scores of National Institute of Health Stroke Scale significantly decreased in the SYI treated group (after treatment for 7 and 14 d) as compared to the control group (placebo injection). Furthermore, the hemorheological index including index of red blood cell (RBC) deformation and aggregation were significantly different before and after treating with SYI. Meanwhile, the value of prothrombin time (PT) increased, and the value of fibrinogen (FIB) decreased in the SYI treated group. In addition, the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the SYI group decreased as compared to the control group. The data suggests that SYI therapy may be beneficial for the patients with acute cerebral infarction. In another study, S. Mahmud et al. investigated the antithrombotic properties (clot lysis effects) of cold methanol extracts of five Bangladeshi plants in vitro. Seven secondary metabolites including alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, tannins, saponins, phlobatannins, and cardiac glycosides were identified in the experimental extracts by phytochemical screening. Among those herbal extracts, Leea macrophylla showed the most prominent antithrombotic effects, while Andrographis paniculata possessed moderate activity. Moreover, in silico docking simulation showed that glycosides molecule fit the best to the activation of tissue plasminogen activator, which suggested that glycosides of these plants are to be the major components contributing to the observed thrombolytic effects. There is considerable interest in the role of natural products and their bioactive components in the prevention and treatment of thrombosis related disorders. In the review paper by C. Chen et al., the mechanisms of thrombus formation were briefly described on three aspects including coagulation system, platelet activation and aggregation, and change of blood flow conditions. And the natural products for antithrombosis by anticoagulation (inhibition of tissue factors and the coagulation pathways), antiplatelet aggregation (inhibition of platelet membrane receptors functions and granules secretion, impacting on nucleotide and arachidonic acid systems), and fibrinolysis were summarized, respectively. It is believed that advances in the understanding of both the mechanisms of thrombus formation and the antithrombotic functions of CAMs will provide new insights to promote human health by preventing or treating thrombotic disorders. Feng-Qing Yang Chun-Su Yuan Swee Ngin Tan Jian-Li Gao

The Value of Safflower Yellow Injection for the Treatment of Acute Cerebral Infarction: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background. Safflower Yellow Injection has been reported as a treatment for acute cerebral infarction in recent studies in China. However, there is a lack of availability of the evidence for the efficacy and safety of Safflower Yellow Injection for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. So we investigated the effects of Safflower Yellow Injection for the treatment of acute cerebral infarction. Method. All subjects were randomly divided into Safflower Yellow Injection group given Safflower Yellow Injection (80 mg) and control group given placebo (0 mg) injection by intravenous drop once daily for 14 days. National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS); hemorheological detection; coagulation function; and serum inflammatory markers, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were used to investigate the effects before and 14 days after the treatment. Results. The scores of NIHSS were decreased on day 7 and day 14 after treatment. The hemorheological index of RBC deformation and RBC aggregation were significantly improved, prothrombin time (PT) increased, and fibrinogen (FIB) and TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were decreased in patients treated with Safflower Yellow injection on day 14 after treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusion. Data suggests that Safflower Yellow Injection therapy may be beneficial for acute cerebral infarction.

The clinical study on safflower yellow injection combined with low molecular heparin in treating acute cerebral infarction

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of Safflower Yellow injection combined with low molecular heparin in treating acute cerebral infarction.Methods 142 patients with acute cerebral infarction were divided into two groups randomly,72 for treatment group,70 for control group.The control group was treated with conventional therapy and danshen injection,the treatment group was treated with conventional therapy combined with intravenous drip Safflower Yellow injection and low molecMar hepann 0.4 ml.twice daily subcutaneously for 14 days.The blood platelet,prothrombin time(PT),activated partial thromboplastin time (APYT),bleeding episodes were observed.Results The neurologic impairment score in the treatment group was decreased evidently,the effective rate was 90%,there were significant differences between the two groups (P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in blood platelet,PT,APTT,bleeding episodes in two groups after treatment(P＞0.05).Conclusion Safflower Yellow injection combined low molecular heparin are effective and safety in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction. Key words: Safflower Yellow injection; Low molecular heparin; Acute cerebral infarction

A clinical study of Safflower Yellow injection in treating coronary heart disease angina pectoris with Xin-blood stagnation syndrome

To evaluate the clinical effect and safety of Safflower Yellow injection (SYI) in treating coronary heart disease angina pectoris (CHD-AP) with Xin-blood stagnation syndrome (XBSS). Adopted was the multi-centered, randomized, positive parallel controlled method, 448 patients with CHD-AP-XBSS were enrolled and divided into two groups, 336 in the tested group treated with SYI and 112 in the control group treated with Salvia injection by intravenous dripping once a day for 14 days, so as to observe the conditions of angina, electrocardiogram, and therapeutic effect on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms as well as the safety of the treatment. The significantly effective rate and total effective rate in the tested group were 60.06% (194/323) and 91.02% (294/323) respectively; Those in improvement of TCM symptoms were 40.18% (129/321) and 75.23% (243/323) respectively, which were better than those in the control group (P < 0.01). SYI Injection is effective and safe in treating CHD-AP-XBSS.