Tonifying Kidney Research Articles

Material basis of kidney Yang deficiency rats before and after salt processing of Dipsacus asper based on spectrum-effect relationship

This paper aims to study the spectrum-effect relationship between the fingerprints before and after salt processing of Dipsacus asper and the efficacy of warming and tonifying kidney Yang and find the main active components against kidney Yang deficiency before and after salt processing of D. asper, so as to provide the basis for clarifying the effect of salt processing on kidney Yang deficiency. The HPLC fingerprint before and after salt processing of D. asper was established by the HPLC-DAD. 15 common peaks were obtained, and 11 components were identified. The content changes of various components in rat serum were detected, and the difference in efficacy before and after salt processing was compared. The results of pharmacological experiments showed that salt processing of D. asper could enhance the kidney index. At the same dose, there was a significant difference between the raw D. asper and D. asper after salt processing groups. Compared with the model group, the contents of ACTH, cAMP, CORT, E_2, GH, Na~+-K~+-ATPase, T, and T4 in the serum of rats in the administration group increased to a certain extent, and the contents of cGMP and TNF-α decreased to a certain extent. Among them, there were significant differences in the above indexes in the serum of rats in the high-dose group of raw D. asper, middle-dose group of D. asper after salt processing, high-dose group of D. asper after salt processing, and the positive drug group. The overall results showed that D. asper after salt processing was more effective than raw D. asper in preventing kidney yang deficiency. The efficacy of D. asper was evaluated by grey correlation analysis, entropy method, and Pearson correlation analysis, and the components of D. asper after salt processing against kidney yang deficiency were screened out. According to the results of correlation degree ranking, the components with increased ranking before and after salt processing of D. asper were loganin, chlorogenic acid, dipsacoside A, asperosaponin Ⅵ, caffeic acid, and isochlorogenic acid B. It was preliminarily speculated that these compounds may be the potential pharmacodynamic components for the treatment of kidney yang deficiency before and after salt processing of D. asper. The changing components before and after the salt processing of D. asper were determined, which proved that D. asper after salt processing was superior to D. asper in the treatment of kidney yang deficiency. The spectrum-effect relationship between the efficacy of D. asper before and after salt processing and the treatment of kidney yang deficiency was established, which laid a foundation for the subsequent study on the pharmacodynamic components and molecular mechanism of salt processing of D. asper.

Ningxin Tongyu Zishen Tang in Treatment of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: A Retrospective Control Study

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a common refractory disease in gynecology, and its etiology and pathogenesis are complex. Psychological stress exerts an impact on women's physical and mental health, and in turn affects the ovarian reserve function, which is one of the important etiologies and pathogenesis of POI. The compound formula Ningxin Tongyu Zishen Tang (NTZT) is composed of Chinese herbal medicines which can nourish heart and tranquilize mind, tonify kidney and supplement essence. By comparing the menstrual symptoms, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms and the levels of serum sex hormone before and after treatment, the NTZT is clarified for its curative effect and advantages in patients with POI. The study aimed to observe the effects of NTZT on menstrual symptoms, TCM symptoms and the levels of serum sex hormone in POI patients. 60 POI patients were divided into two groups, namely observation group and control group, with 30 patients each. The patients in both groups were treated by hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The observation and control groups received treatment with NTZT and Liuwei Dihuang Wan (LDW), respectively. Both groups of patients were treated for 3 months continuously. The menstrual symptoms, TCM symptoms and the levels of serum sex hormone of the two groups were investigated before and after treatment. It was found that the menstrual symptoms, TCM symptoms and the levels of serum sex hormone improved dramatically after treatment in the observation group (P < 0.01). By comparison, the menstrual symptoms and the levels of serum sex hormone improved significantly (P < 0.01), but no obvious improvement in TCM symptoms (P > 0.05) in the control group was observed. Compared with the control group, the observation group showed significant improvement in TCM symptoms and the levels of serum sex hormone (P < 0.01), but no significant difference was observed in the menstrual symptoms (P > 0.05). In addition, no any adverse events such as gastrointestinal dysfunction and drug allergy were observed in both groups, indicating the safety of the two TCM formulas. The study found that NTZT could restore menstruation and improve the levels of sex hormone in patients with POI. It was also found that NTZT could eliminate the feelings of vexation, insomnia and dreamfulness, as well as tidal fever and sweating, aching pain of loins, and vaginal dryness significantly. It can be proved that NTZT is effective in treating patients with POI owing to its effects of nourishing heart and tranquilizing mind, tonifying kidney and supplementing essence together, leading to elimination of psychological stress, which further promotes the development of the ovaries.

The role of tonifying kidney decoction and acupuncture in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: A network meta-analysis.

As one of the chronic neurological degenerative diseases with the highest incidence of amnesia and dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD) carried out the clinical treatment based on the 2 traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) of Chinese herbal compound and acupuncture (AP). With the vigorous development of TCM, doctors are facing the problem of choosing TCM or western medicine in clinical work. Hence there is an urge to make pairwise comparisons among these interventions to provide evidence for clinical practice. The used efficacy of the 2 TCM methods and combined with donepeziline were compared to compile the best treatment through network meta-analysis. Patients diagnosed with AD were included in the randomized clinical trial, who were treated with tonifying kidney decoction (TKD) or AP combined with donepezil hydrochloride (DH) as an intervention measure, while the control group was treated with DH. The total effective rate was the primary outcome, and mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score and activities of daily living (ADCS-ADL) scores were the secondary indicators. Eventually 30 studies reporting 2236 patients underwent TKD or AP combined with DH were enrolled. In terms of total efficiency, compared with TKD and DH, TKD + DH was significantly preferable. In addition, TKD were classified into 2 categories, namely tonifying kidney with reducing phlegm formulas (TKRP) and tonifying kidney with filling lean marrow (TKFLM). Regarding to MMSE score of TKD, of the 3 interventions, only TKRP + DH (standard mean difference [SMD] = 4.84, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.86-8.82) and TKFLM + DH (SMD = 3.93, 95% CI: 1.06-6.80) had significant efficacy over TKFLM (SMD = 4.25, 95%CI: -2.58 to 11.08). Although no difference between TKRP and other groups, its effectiveness was higher than TKFLM + DH and TKFLM (surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) = 61.5%). For the ADL score, compared with TKFLM + DH and DH, TKRP + DH had more effective (SUCRA = 70.2%). Regarding to the total effective rates, AP + DH was more statistically better than AP, and AP was statistically better than DH. TKD or AP in combination with DH are significantly superior in treating AD.

Studies on the metabolism and mechanism of acteoside in treating chronic glomerulonephritis

Ethnopharmacological relevanceActeoside (ACT) is the main ingredient derived from the leaves of Rehmannia glutinosa (Dihuangye). Dihuangye has the function of clearing heat, replenishing qi and activating blood, nourishing yin and tonifying kidney in traditional Chinese medicine. Recent studies have demonstrated that Dihuangye can be used to treat nephritis and ACT is a promising antinephritic agent. Aim of the studyTo clarify the metabolites of ACT in biological samples and investigate the renoprotective effect and mechanism of ACT in rats with chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN). Materials and methodsIn this study, the biotransformation of ACT in rat biological samples was clarified by quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry. The metabolites were validated by urine samples in nephropathy model rats. The effect of ACT and its metabolites was evaluated by glomerular podocyte injury due to high glucose. Based on an analysis of the ingredients in vivo, the potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of CGN were investigated by using network pharmacological analysis and molecular docking. Then, the renoprotective effect and mechanism of ACT were determined in rats in a passive Heymann nephritis (PHN) model. ResultsA total of 49 metabolites of ACT were detected and identified. Meanwhile, 21 metabolites were detected in nephropathy model rats. ACT was absorbed rapidly and transferred from the kidney, and the metabolites were eliminated via urine. The whole process lasted approximately 8 h. ACT had a significant protective effect on glomerular podocytes damaged by high glucose and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid might be the main metabolite of ACT underlying its functions in vivo. The network pharmacology and molecular docking results showed 84 ACT-CGN targets, among which MAPK1, HRAS, AKT1, EGFR, and others were a highly correlated. In the PHN rat model, ACT significantly reduced the 24-h urine protein and serum creatinine concentrations, suppressed the leukocyte CD18 expression levels, decreased the serum tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) levels and tended to reduce serum interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels. ACT significantly reduced the platelet aggregation rate and inhibited the proliferative activity of splenic lymphocytes in response to the mitogen concanavalin A. Meanwhile, ACT inhibited transforming growth factor-β and fibronectin expression in renal tissues and dose-dependently inhibited TNF-α and IL-6 production in RAW264.7 mouse macrophages at doses ranging from 1.8 to 1330 μg/mL. ConclusionsACT had therapeutic effects on PHN rats, and its mechanism might be related to the inhibition of intercellular or intercellular-matrix adhesion, suppression of inflammatory response, regulation of immune function, improvement of tissue hemodynamics and hemorheology, and relief of fibrotic lesions.

Professor SHENG Can-ruo's experience of acupuncture for chronic pelvic pain of sequelae of pelvic inflammatory diseases

Professor SHENG Can-ruo proposes that the pathogenesis of chronic pelvic pain of sequelae of pelvic inflammatory diseases is "kidney deficiency and cold coagulation, obstruction of the governor vessel and the belt vessel". For the treatment, attention is paid to warming yang and tonifying kidney, dredging and regulating the governor vessel and the belt vessel; the acupoints of Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Fuliu (KI 7), Taixi (KI 3) etc. are selected. With the method of treating yang for yin disorder and mao-acupuncture, professor SHENG emphasizes the importance of syndrome differentiation-based treatment. The main point of treatment is to balance yin-yang and to maintain both sides of the symptoms and root causes.

Network Pharmacology-Based Strategy to Investigate the Mechanisms of Cibotium barometz in Treating Osteoarthritis.

Cibotium barometz is a representative tonifying kidney drug and is widely used for osteoarthritis (OA) in traditional Chinese medicine. However, its regulatory mechanisms in treating OA remain to be sufficiently investigated. The main chemical components of Cibotium barometz were screened through the TCMID database and the corresponding targets were acquired through SwissTargetPrediction. The OA-related targets were obtained from the OMIM, Genecards, Genebank, TTD, and DisGeNET databases. The prediction of key targets and pathways of Cibotium barometz in the treatment of OA was achieved by constructing a compounds-targets network and performing KEGG enrichment analysis. The OA model rats were established by the Hulth method and used to explore the protective effect of Cibotium barometz via cartilage pathological assessment. In vitro models of OA were built by the proinflammatory factor interleukin-1β (IL-1β) induced SW1353 cells and used to validate the mechanisms predicted by network pharmacology. Network pharmacology results suggested that the therapeutic effects of Cibotium barometz were closely related to matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, 3, 13 and inflammation-related gene COX2, which are regulated by the NFκB pathway. In vivo experiments revealed that Cibotium barometz could effectively restrain cartilage from degeneration and inhibit the mRNA expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, and COX2 in cartilage. In vitro experiments indicated that Cibotium barometz water extract (CBWE) could significantly inhibit the expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, and PGE2 in IL-1β-induced SW1353 cells and markedly prevent the translocation of NFκB p65 from the cytoplasm to the nuclei and decrease its phosphorylation level. After small-interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to suppress the synthesis of NFκB p65 to block NFκB signaling pathway, the ability of CBWE to inhibit MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, and PGE2 was greatly reduced. Cibotium barometz has a chondroprotective effect on OA by inhibiting the response to inflammation and substrate degradation, and the related mechanism is associated with the inhibition of the NFκB pathway.

Long-term oral administration of Epimedii Folium induced cholestasis in mice by interfering with bile acid transport

Ethnopharmacological relevanceEpimedii Folium (EF) is a common traditional Chinese medicine that functions as a tonifying kidney yang to strengthen bones and muscles and dispel wind dampness (limb pain, lethargy, nausea, anorexia, and loose stools). Several studies have reported the potential risk of cholestatic liver damage from EF use; however, there have been few investigations of EF-induced cholestasis, particularly the underlying mechanisms. Aims of the studyThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk of EF-induced cholestasis in vivo and to explore the mechanisms of action. Materials and methodsICR mice were orally administered a water extract of EF (WEF) in doses of 6.5 and 19.5 g/kg/day for 14 weeks. Liver-to-body weight ratios, body weight, histopathological examination, and biochemical analyses were performed to assess WEF-induced cholestasis in the mice. Genes associated with bile acid (BA) metabolism and transport, including sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), cytochrome P450 8B1 (CYP8B1), bile-salt export pump (BSEP), multidrug resistance P-glycoproteins 1 (MDR1), and farnesoid X receptor (FXR), were measured at the transcript and protein levels to investigate the potential mechanisms through which cholestasis is aroused by EF. ResultsAfter administration of WEF for 14 weeks, mice in the high-dose WEF group showed poor health with an increased liver-to-body weight ratio as well as higher serum aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, direct bilirubin, and total BA levels. Compared with the control group, mRNA expression of NTCP and cholesterol 7a-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) increased, and levels of BSEP, MDR1, multidrug resistance-associated protein 2, and multidrug resistance-associated protein 3 decreased in the WEF-treated group. NTCP, BSEP, MDR1, and CYP8B1 showed similar mRNA and protein expression trends. ConclusionWe demonstrated that the long-term oral administration of WEF causes cholestatic liver injury in mice, which is consistent with reported clinical cases. Furthermore, we found that the destruction of BA metabolism and transport is involved in WEF-induced cholestasis. The fine-scale molecular mechanisms of WEF-induced cholestasis and the active compounds of EF need further study.

Complete chloroplast genome of Ligustrum lucidum and highly variable marker identification for Ligustrum

Ligustri Lucidi Fructus, the sun-dried mature fruit of Ligustrum lucidum, is cool, plain, sweet, and bitter, which can be used as both food and medicine, with the effects of improving vision, blacking hair, and tonifying liver and kidney. It takes effect slowly. However, little is known about the genetic information of the medicinal plant and it is still a challenge to distinguish Ligustrum species. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of L. lucidum was obtained by genome skimming and then compared with that of five other Ligustrum species, which had been reported. This study aims to evaluate the interspecific variation of chloroplast genome within the genus and develop molecular markers for species identification of the genus. The result showed that the chloroplast genome of L. lucidum was 162 162 bp with a circular quadripartite structure of two single-copy regions separated by a pair of inverted repeats. The Ligustrum chloroplast genomes were conserved with small interspecific difference. Comparative analysis of six Ligustrum chloroplast genomes revealed three variable regions(rbcL-accD, ycf1a, and ycf1b), and ycf1a and ycf1b can be used as the species-specific DNA barcode for Ligustrum. Phylogeny analysis provided the best resolution of Ligustrum and supported that L. lucidum was sister to L. gracile. This study clarified the genetic diversity of L. lucidum from provenance, which can serve as a reference for further analysis of pharmacological differences and breeding of excellent varieties with stable drug effects.

Is Chinese herbal formula (nourishing Yin therapy) effective and well tolerated as an adjunct medication to hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of primary Sjögren’s syndrome? A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Background:Previously, data mining methodology was used to identify 71 patented prescriptions in Chinese patent databases, indicating that Yin-nourishing therapy (YNT) may be an adjunct medication to hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of the addition of YNT, which includes tonifying liver and kidney therapy (TLKT) and replenishing Qi and nourishing Yin therapy (RQNYT), in the treatment of pSS.Methods:Fourteen databases (including Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean and Latin databases) were searched to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of YNT plus hydroxychloroquine (YNTPH) versus hydroxychloroquine alone in patients with pSS. Relevant publications up to June 2021 were selected. A meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA) were performed using Review Manager 5.3, Stata 14.0 and TSA 0.9 software. The quality of identified studies was assessed based on the Cochrane risk of bias tool and GRADE (grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluation) criteria.Results:We included five RCTs with a total of 345 participants. Pooled results indicated significant differences in short-term outcomes, which were assessed via European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Sjögren’s Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI), EULAR Sjögren’s Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI), tear production, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and immunoglobulin G (IgG) results when YNTPH was compared with hydroxychloroquine use alone (p < 0.05). No significant difference in salivary flow rate was reported. The most common side effect reported for both groups was gastrointestinal reaction. Sensitivity analyses suggested that heterogeneity might be ascribed to clinical methodology. Subgroup analyses revealed heterogeneities regarding salivary flow rate were eliminated. TLKT appeared to be better than RQNYT for improving salivary flow rate. TSA only supported changes in ESSPRI, ESSDAI and ESR values. For all studies, the quality of evidence was low.Conclusion:YNTPH may be an effective complementary therapy. Current evidence, however, is insufficient for determining whether YNTPH is more effective than hydroxychloroquine alone. Well-designed RCTs are needed to determine the role of YNT in pSS treatment.

Quality markers for processed products of Morinda officinalis how based on the “oligosaccharides-spectrum-effect”

Morinda officinalis How (MO) possesses prominent tonifying kidney yang and strengthening bone and muscle effects in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Due to the complexity of MO components, the chemical mechanism leading to efficacy changes of MO caused by processing remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate and discover quality markers (Q-markers) related to the clinical efficacy of processed MO. The different processed products of MO have different clinical applications, although they originate from the same medicinal herb. The active chemical components from raw and processed MO that protect against reproductive oxidative stress damage were evaluated. The processed products of MO were prepared by different processing methods. The changes in oligosaccharides during processing were characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography with an evaporative light scattering detector (HPLC-ELSD), and the differential components in raw and processed MO were analyzed using SA, HCA, PCA, and OPLS-DA methods. The protective effects of raw and processed MO oligosaccharides (MOOs) against reproductive oxidative stress damage were evaluated based on the spermatic number, spermatic survival rate, abnormal sperm ratio and serum biochemical indicators in cyclophosphamide-induced (CTX-induced) male mice. The results revealed that processed MOOs had better pharmacological effects than raw MOOs. Therefore, gray correlation analysis (GRA) and the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) methods were used to investigate the spectrum-effect relationships of MOOs. Spectrum-effect relationship analysis revealed that all of the characteristic peaks contributed to the treatment of reproductive oxidative stress damage, and the relative correlation degrees were greater than 0.6. Among them, the peaks 1 F-fructofuranosylnystose, nystose, and 1-kestose and the peaks X2-X5, which were most closely correlated to the treatment of reproductive oxidative stress damage, were identified as inulin-oligosaccharides and inulo-oligosaccharides, respectively. It was proposed that these constituents could be considered Q-markers for processed products of MO. Thus, this study aimed to explore chemical markers that correlate with the clinical efficacy of processed MO.

Combination of the Herbs Radix Rehmanniae and Cornus Officinalis Mitigated Testicular Damage From Diabetes Mellitus by Enhancing Glycolysis via the AGEs/RAGE/HIF-1α Axis.

Radix Rehmanniae and Cornus Officinalis (RR-CO) have been widely used as “nourishing Yin and tonifying kidney” herb pairs for the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Based on the theory of “kidney governing reproduction” in TCM, the aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of RR-CO on DM-induced reproduction damage through regulating testicular glycolysis. Moreover, the regulation of AGEs/RAGE/HIF-1α axis on the testicular glycolysis process has also been studied. Spontaneous DM model KK-Ay mice were used to investigate the protective effect of RR, CO, RR-CO on DM-induced reproductive disturbances. RR, CO, RR-CO improved DM-induced renal and testicular morphology damages. Moreover, the impaired spermatogenesis, germ cell apoptosis and motility in testis induced upon DM were also attenuated by RR, CO or RR-CO, accompanied by an increased level of glycolysis metabolomics such as l-lactate, d-Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate, etc. Meanwhile, glucose membrane transporters (GLUT1, GLUT3), monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4) expression, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, HIF-1α were upregulated by RR, CO and RR-CO treatment compared with the model group, whereas AGE level and RAGE expression were decreased with the drug administration. The RR-CO group was associated with superior protective effects in comparison to RR, CO use only. Aminoguanidine (Ami) and FPS-ZM1, the AGEs and RAGE inhibitors, were used as a tool drug to study the mechanism, showing different degrees of protection against DM-induced reproductive damage. This work preliminarily sheds light on the herb pair RR-CO exhibited favorable effects against DM-induced reproductive disturbances through enhancing testicular glycolysis, which might be mediated by AGEs/RAGE/HIF-1α axis.

Analysis of Famous TCM Doctor Zan Qiang’s Experience in the Treatment of Perimenopausal Osteoporosis

The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical experience of Zan Qiang, a famous doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Shaanxi province, in the treatment of perimenopausal osteoporosis. Zan believed that the main etiology and pathogenesis of perimenopausal osteoporosis were "deficiency of kidney essence, decreased marrow and bone", "deficiency of liver and kidney" and "stasis caused by deficiency". Although it is a chronic physiological disease, and the pathological process is irreversible, the treatment groups of "tonifying kidney and filling essence", "tonifying liver and tonifying kidney" and "tonifying deficiency and promoting blood circulation" can significantly improve the symptoms of patients, slow down the progress of the disease and improve the quality of life of patients.

Combined protective effects of icariin and selenomethionine on novel chronic tubulointerstitial nephropathy models in vivo and in vitro.

Chronic tubulointerstitial nephropathy (CTIN) is one of the most common kidney diseases. However, treatment for CTIN has multiple limits. Adjuvant therapy through nutritional regulation has become a hot research topic at present. Icariin (ICA), an extraction of Chinese herbal medicine epimedium, has many pharmacological functions including anti-inflammation and tonifying kidney. Selenomethionine (SeMet) possesses the effects of antioxidant and lightening nephrotoxicity. However, little is known about the combined nephroprotection of them. This study was investigated to evaluate the joint effects of ICA and SeMet on CTIN and explore the mechanism. Based on a novel CTIN model developed in our previous study, mice were randomly divided into five groups (a: control; b: model; c: model + ICA; d: model + SeMet; e: model + ICA + SeMet). Renal tubule epithelial cells were treated with cyclosporine A and ochratoxin A without/with ICA or/and SeMet. The results showed that ICA or/and SeMet ameliorated CTIN by inhibiting the uptrends of blood urine nitrogen, serum creatinine, urine protein, urine gravity, histopathological damage degree and collagen I deposition. ICA or/and SeMet also increased cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis and the expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and α-smooth muscle actin. Emphatically, ICA and SeMet joint had better nephroprotection than alone in most indexes including fibrosis. Furthermore, ICA and SeMet joint decreased the activation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/NFκB pathway induced by CTIN. TLR4 overexpression counteracted the joint protection of ICA and SeMet. Therefore, ICA and SeMet in combination could protect against CTIN through blocking TLR4/NFκB pathway. The study will provide novel insights to explore an adjuvant therapeutic orientation.

Effects of Danqi Yishen Capsule on Blood Lipid Levels and Hemorheological Indicators of Hyperlipidemia Patients

Objective: To explore the effects of Danqi Yishen Capsule (Danqi Capsule for Tonifying Kidney) on blood lipid levels and hemorheological indicators of hyperlipidemia patients. Methods: A total of 96 patients with hyperlipidemia were randomly divided into the control group and observation group of 48 cases respectively. The control group was given by simvastatin in oral administration of 10 mg half an hour after dinner, once a day, while the observation group based on the treatment of the control group, was orally given Danshen Yishen Capsule of three capsules each time, three times a day. The treatment of both groups lasted for two months. Then the comparison focused on blood lipid levels, hemorheological indicators, and adverse reactions between both groups before and after the treatment. Results: There was no significant difference in blood lipid levels and hemorheological indicators between both groups before the treatment (P > 0.05). The symptoms of both groups were significantly improved after the treatment, and the difference before and after the treatment was statistically significant (P P P > 0.05). Conclusion: Danqi Yishen Capsule has a significant value in clinical applications, which can optimize clinical efficacy, improve blood lipid levels and hemorheological indicators of hyperlipidemia patients, as well as reduce the probability of adverse reactions in patients.

Efficacy and safety of the traditional Chinese medicine tonifying kidney (bu shen) therapy in patients with hypertension: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

Hypertension becomes increasingly an alarming global health concern. There is a growing interest in treatment of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and tonifying kidney therapy (bushen, TKT) has been extensively used in the treatment of hypertension according to TCM theory. In this article, we outline the protocol of research projects and methods to examine comprehensively the effectiveness and safety of TKT in treating hypertensive patients. We will collect randomized controlled trails (RCTs) that report the application of TKT for patients with hypertension from electronic databases including PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CNKI, VIP, CBM, and Wanfang database. Time of literature retrieval is set from the beginning of database construction to the end of June, 2020. Two reviewers will independently perform literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment of included literature, and any divergences will be worked out via discussion. The primary outcomes include total efficacy rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure change will be assessed. The secondary outcomes include clinical symptoms and adverse events will also be assessed. RevMan5.3 software will be applied to analyzing data included studies. This study will synthesize and analyze all collated data in order to evaluate TKT for the treatment of hypertension involves different aspects in total efficacy rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure change, clinical symptoms, and adverse events. This study will determine the efficacy of TKT in the treatment of hypertension and recommend its clinical value based on the evaluated the effectiveness and security results. INPLASY202050044.

Effect of the warming and tonifying kidney- yang recipe on monoamine neurotransmitters and pathological morphology of hippocampus tissue in depression model rats

OBJECTIVE: To study the molecular mechanism of warming and tonifying kidney-yang recipe (WTKYR) in the treatment of depression.METHODS: SD rats were divided into a control group, model group, WTKYR group, and fluoxetine group. Each group consisted of 21 rats. The chronic unpredictable mild stress model was used. Body weighing and SPT were performed regularly. After treatment, histopathology of the brain tissue was performed, and concentrations of 5-HT (5-hydroxytryptamine), NE (norepinephrine), and DA (dopamine) in the hippocampus were determined.RESULTS: The WTKYR group showed higher body weight and sucrose consumption than the control groups. Moreover, the concentrations of 5-HT, NE, and DA in the hippocampus were significantly different in the WTKYR group in comparison to those in the other groups. The hippocampus histomorphology of the WTKYR group exhibited less dematous pyramidal cells and mild inflammatory cell infiltration.CONCLUSION: The treatment effect of WTKYR in depression may be based on improvement in the content of 5-HT, NE, and DA in the hippocampus, extenuating edema of the cortical surface and pyramidal cells and decreasing the infiltration of inflammatory cells into hippocampus tissue.

Molecular mechanism analysis of Erzhi Wan in treatment of aging based on network pharmacology

This present study aimed to explore the molecular mechanism of Erzhi Wan(a prescription of nourishing Yin and toni-fying liver and kidney) in treatment of aging by network pharmacology. The active constituents and target proteins of Erzhi Wan were searched from Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database(TCMSP) and PubChem databases respectively. Aging-related genes were searched from Gene and HAGR databases. Based on the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis(IPA), we analyzed the common molecular network, biological pathway and interaction sites between these two parts, and verified some of them by Western blot. Twelve active constituents of Erzhi Wan were screened by TCMSP databases, 69 protein targets were predicted through PubChem, and 148 aging-related genes were found in Gene and HAGR databases. IPA comparison showed that the molecular networks of these two were complex, with diversity of biological functions. The common pathways involved 292 pathways, mainly related to tumors. They acted on hypoxia inducible factor-1α gene(HIF1α), nuclear factor-E2 related factor(Nrf2/NFE2 L2), tumor necrosis factor(TNF) and other sites. Western blot results suggested that Erzhi Wan could down-regulate the expression of HIF1α, with statistical difference(P&lt;0.05). It was concluded that, Erzhi Wan could intervene aging through improving pseudo-hypoxic microenvironment and inflammation. The molecular mechanism of Erzhi Wan in delaying aging was preliminarily revealed, which laid a foundation for further stu-dying the anti-aging mechanism of Erzhi Wan, and also provided a reference for the compatibility mechanism and extended application of Chinese medicine compounds.

Comparison between Tonifying Kidney Yang and Yin in Treating Segmental Bone Defects Based on the Induced Membrane Technique: An Experimental Study in a Rat Model.

Tonifying kidney therapy consisting of tonifying kidney yang and yin is the basic principle of Chinese medicine in treating segmental bone defects (SBDs). Previous studies have demonstrated the presence of the differences between tonifying kidney yang and yin in bone metabolism of osteoporosis and distraction osteogenesis models. However, whether the difference between the two tonifying kidney methods in bone repair for the induced membrane (IM) technique occurs or what is the difference remain unclear. Angiogeneic-osteogenic coupling plays an important role in bone repair and the induced membrane couples angiogenesis with the later osteogenesis during the IM process. This study aimed at investigating the effects of tonifying kidney yang (total flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynariae, TFRD) and yin (plastrum testudinis extract, PTE) on angiogenesis and osteogenesis in the IM-treated SBDs. Rats of 6 mm tibia bone defect model treated with IM were divided into five groups: the control group, the model group, the tonifying kidney yang group (TFRD-treated group), the tonifying kidney yin group (PTE-treated group), and the western medicine group. At 4 weeks after insertion of the polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), three caudal vertebrae from the tail in each rat were implanted into the 6 mm defect gap. Radiographical, histological, immunohistochemical, and immunofluorescent analyses were performed to assess bone and vessel formation at 4 or 12 weeks after insertion of the PMMA, respectively. Our results revealed that TFRD and PTE were beneficial to both angiogenesis and osteogenesis. TFRD exerted a better effect on angiogenesis than PTE and achieved a better result in stage 1 rather than in stage 2 of IM, whereas PTE was superior to TFRD in osteogenesis and achieved a better result in stage 2 instead of stage 1. Collectively, these findings elucidated the beneficial effects of tonifying kidney yang and yin on angiogenesis and osteogenesis of SBD repair during the IM process, as well as the difference that tonifying kidney yang surpasses tonifying kidney yin in angiogenesis while tonifying kidney yin outperforms tonifying kidney yang in osteogenesis, which suggests that the combination between the application of tonifying kidney yang method in stage 1 of IM and tonifying kidney yin method in stage 2 may achieve better repair efficiency.

Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Tonifying Kidney (Bushen) and Activating Blood (Huoxue) Prescription for Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective We carried out this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of TKABP on POI. Methods The following eight databases were searched from the establishment to September 30, 2019, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs): PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), the Chinese BioMedical database (CBM), Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), and the Wanfang database. The quality of evidence was estimated by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). Results Twenty-three RCTs involving 1712 patients with POI were included. Compared to hormone therapy (HT) groups, TKABP groups showed a significantly higher total effective rate (RR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.04–1.17; P < 0.01, I2 = 32%). In addition, TKABP groups revealed a better improvement in terms of serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, serum estradiol (E2) levels, peak systolic velocity (PSV) of ovarian stromal blood, and Kupperman index (KI) score. However, serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels and ovarian volume (OV) showed no significant statistical difference. Subgroup analyses showed that herbal paste and 3 months of treatment duration had a greater effect on the improvement of hormone levels. Besides, the occurrence of related adverse events in TKABP groups was lower than that in HT groups. Conclusions Our review suggests that TKABP appears to be an effective and safe measure for patients with POI, and the herbal paste may be superior. However, the methodological quality of included RCTs was unsatisfactory, and it is necessary to verify its effectiveness with furthermore standardized researches of rigorous design.

Infertility caused by salpingitis treated based on theory of kidney deficiency and blood stasis

Infertility caused by salpingitis is one of the main causes of secondary infertility in women. In recent years,the incidence has been increasing year by year. Modern medicine believes that this disease is a complication due to incomplete or delayed treatment of acute and chronic salpingitis,with no satisfactory drug therapy at present. Clinical therapies mainly include surgical treatment,interventional treatment and assisted reproductive technology. After summarizing the experience of predecessors and the clinical practice of treating infertility for many years,the author considers that the disease location is the cell veins,and the nature is mostly mixed of deficiency and excess. Kidney deficiency and blood stasis are the main pathogenesis of infertility caused by salpingitis. Blood stasis is the pathological basis,while kidney deficiency is the fundamental pathogenesis. Long-term kidney deficiency will lead to blood stasis,and blood stasis will aggravate kidney deficiency. Both of them are cause and effect to each other. Infertility caused by salpingitis is difficult to cure. Based on the theory of kidney deficiency and blood stasis,the basic principles of clinical treatment are tonifying kidney and activating blood circulation,removing blood stasis and dredging collaterals. Oral administration with traditional Chinese medicine combined with external therapies,such as enema,external application,acupuncture and moxibustion,have been achieved a good efficacy in repairing fallopian tube function and improving pregnancy rate. Therefore,the treatment of infertility caused by salpingitis based on " kidney deficiency and blood stasis" is worthy of further discussion in both clinical and experimental aspects.