Korean red ginseng decreases 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-induced mitophagy in SH-SY5Y cells

Enhanced immunity effect of Korean Red Ginseng capsule: A randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial

Background

As a physiological function of body, immunity can maintain health by identifying itself and excluding others. With economic development and increasingly fierce social competition, the number of sub-healthy population is gradually increasing, and the most basic problem exposed is human hypoimmunity. Hypoimmunity can be manifested as often feeling tired, catching colds, mental depression, etc. In order to enhance immunity, eating healthy foods with the effect of enhancing immunity may become an effective choice. KRG has pharmacological effects of enhancing immunity. Because the screening and evaluation method of immune population are not unified, there are relatively few KRG immunity tests for sub-health population. It is of great significance to study the effect of KRG on people with hypoimmunity to improve sub-health status.

Methods

This was a 180-day, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. According to the trial scheme design, 119 qualified subjects were included and randomly divided into the test group taking KRG and the placebo control group. Subjects need to check safety indicators (blood pressure and heart rate, blood routine, liver and kidney function, urine routine and stool routine) and efficacy indicators (main and secondary) inspection at baseline, efficacy indicators inspection during the mid-term of the test (90th days of administration), safety and efficacy indicators inspection after the test (180th days of administration).

Results

After the test, the safety indicators of placebo control group and KRG test group were basically within the normal range, and there is no significant difference in fireness score between the two groups. Through follow-up interviews, it was found that the subjects in the test group and the control group had no adverse reactions and allergic reactions such as nausea, flatulence, diarrhea, and abdominal pain during the test period. Self-comparison of the test group, the results of the main efficacy indicators: (1) immune related health scores were significantly improved in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.01), (2) CD3 and CD4/CD8 increased significantly after the test (P < 0.05), (3) IgG, IgA, IgM and WBC increased significantly in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.01); the results of the secondary efficacy indicators: (1) TNF-α decreased significantly in the mid-term (P < 0.05), IFN-γ decreased significantly in the mid-term (P < 0.01), (2) NK increased significantly in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.05), (3) monocyte increased significantly in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.01). Inter-group comparison of the test group and the control group, the results of the main efficacy indicators: (1) immune related health scores were higher than that of the control group in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.01), (2) IgA of the test group was higher than that of the control group in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.05); the results of the secondary efficacy indicators: (1) WBC of the test group was higher than that of the control group in the mid-term (P < 0.05); (2) monocytes of the test group were higher than that of the control group in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.05), neutrophils of the test group were higher than that of the control group in the mid-term (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Taking KRG has no adverse effects on the health of the subjects. According to the standard of clinical trial scheme, the immune related health scores and IgA in the main efficacy indicators were positive, which shows that KRG is helpful in enhancing human immunity.

Real-world Chinese herbal medicine for Parkinson's disease: a hospital-based retrospective analysis of electronic medical records

Background

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition. Chinese medicine therapies have demonstrated effectiveness for PD in controlled settings. However, the utilization of Chinese medicine therapies for PD in real-world clinical practice and the characteristics of patients seeking these therapies have not been thoroughly summarized.

Method

The study retrospectively analyzed initial patient encounters (PEs) with a first-listed diagnosis of PD, based on electronic medical records from Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine between July 2018 and July 2023.

Results

A total of 3,206 PEs, each corresponding to an individual patient, were eligible for analyses. Approximately 60% of patients made initial visits to the Chinese medicine hospital after receiving a PD diagnosis, around 4.59 years after the onset of motor symptoms. Over 75% of the patients visited the Internal Medicine Outpatient Clinic at their initial visits, while a mere 13.85% visited PD Chronic Care Clinic. Rest tremor (61.98%) and bradykinesia (52.34%) are the most commonly reported motor symptoms, followed by rigidity (40.70%). The most commonly recorded non-motor symptoms included constipation (31.88%) and sleep disturbance (25.27%). Integration of Chinese medicine and conventional medicine therapies was the most common treatment method (39.15%), followed by single use of Chinese herbal medicine (27.14%). The most frequently prescribed herbs for PD included Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. (gan cao), Astragalus mongholicus Bunge (huang qi), Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. (bai zhu), Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (dang gui), Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) DC. (di huang), Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (bai shao), Bupleurum chinense DC. (chai hu), Citrus aurantium L. (zhi qiao/zhi shi/chen pi), Panax ginseng C. A. Mey. (ren shen), and Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf (fu ling). These herbs contribute to formulation of Bu zhong yi qi tang (BZYQT).

Conclusion

Patients typically initiated Chinese medical care after the establishment of PD diagnosis, ~4.59 years post-onset of motor symptoms. The prevalent utilization of CHM decoctions and patented Chinese herbal medicine products, underscores its potential in addressing both motor and non-motor symptoms. Despite available evidence, rigorous clinical trials are needed to validate and optimize the integration of CHM, particularly BZYQT, into therapeutic strategies for PD.

Regulation of mitophagy and mitochondrial function: Natural compounds as potential therapeutic strategies for Parkinson's disease

Mitochondrial damage is associated with the development of Parkinson's disease (PD), indicating that mitochondrial-targeted treatments could hold promise as disease-modifying approaches for PD. Notably, natural compounds have demonstrated the ability to modulate mitochondrial-related processes. In this review article, we discussed the possible neuroprotective mechanisms of natural compounds against PD in modulating mitophagy and mitochondrial function. A comprehensive literature search on natural compounds related to the treatment of PD by regulating mitophagy and mitochondrial function was conducted from PubMed, Web of Science and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases from their inception until April 2023. We summarize recent advancements in mitophagy's molecular mechanisms, including upstream and downstream processes, and its relationship with PD-related genes or proteins. Importantly, we highlight how natural compounds can therapeutically regulate various mitochondrial processes through multiple targets and pathways to alleviate oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, Lewy's body aggregation and apoptosis, which are key contributors to PD pathogenesis. Unlike the single-target strategy of modern medicine, natural compounds provide neuroprotection against PD by modulating various mitochondrial-related processes, including ameliorating mitophagy by targeting the PINK1/parkin pathway, the NIX/BNIP3 pathway, and autophagosome formation (i.e., LC3 and p62). Given the prevalence of mitochondrial damage in various neurodegenerative diseases, exploring the exact mechanism of natural compounds on mitophagy and mitochondrial dysfunction could shed light on the development of highly effective disease-modifying or adjuvant therapies targeting PD and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Effects of natural products on cisplatin ototoxicity and chemotherapeutic efficacy

INTRODUCTION

Cisplatin is a very effective chemotherapeutic agent against a variety of solid tumors. Unfortunately, cisplatin causes permanent sensorineural hearing loss in at least two-thirds of patients treated. There are no FDA approved drugs to prevent this serious side effect.

AREAS COVERED

This paper reviews various natural products that ameliorate cisplatin ototoxicity. These compounds are strong antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. This review includes mostly preclinical studies but also discusses a few small clinical trials with natural products to minimize hearing loss from cisplatin chemotherapy in patients. The interactions of natural products with cisplatin in tumor-bearing animal models are highlighted. A number of natural products did not interfere with cisplatin anti-tumor efficacy and some agents actually potentiated cisplatin anti-tumor activity.

EXPERT OPINION

There are a number of natural products or their derivatives that show excellent protection against cisplatin ototoxicity in preclinical studies. There is a need to insure uniform standards for purity of drugs derived from natural sources and to ensure adequate pharmacokinetics and safety of these products. Natural products that protect against cisplatin ototoxicity and augment cisplatin's anti-tumor effects in multiple studies of tumor-bearing animals are most promising for advancement to clinical trials. The most promising natural products include honokiol, sulforaphane, and thymoquinone.

Detoxification mechanisms of ginseng to aconite: A review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Aconite (Fuzi, FZ), the processed root tuber of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx., is utilized as a classic medicine to treat diseases of the cardiovascular system and immune system. Resulting from the narrow margin of safety between a therapeutic dose and a toxic dose, FZ often causes cardiotoxicity including hypotension, palpitation, and bradycardia. Contributing to the detoxification effects of the other famous herbal medicine ginseng (Renshen, RS), which is the dried root and rhizome of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, people broadly combine FZ and RS as compatibility more than 1800 years to attenuate the toxicity of FZ. However, the systematic detoxification mechanisms of RS to FZ have not been fully revealed.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

Aiming to provide a comprehensive interpretation of the attenuation processes of FZ via RS, this review summarizes the up-to-date information about regulatory mechanisms of RS to FZ to shed the light on the essence of detoxification.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Literature was searched in electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, CNKI and WanFang Data. Relevant studies on detoxification mechanisms were included while irrelevant and duplicate studies were excluded. According to the study design, subject, intervention regime, outcome, first author and year of publication of included data, detoxification mechanisms of RS to FZ were summarized and visualized.

RESULTS

A total of 144 studies were identified through databases from their inception up to Oct. 2022. Included information indicated that diester-diterpenoid alkaloids (DDAs) were the main toxic substances of FZ. The main mechanisms that RS attenuates the toxicity of FZ were transforming toxic compounds of FZ, affecting the absorption and metabolism of FZ as well as the FZ-induced cell toxicity alleviation.

CONCLUSION

FZ, as a famous traditional Chinese medicine, has good prospects for utilization. The narrow margin of safety between a therapeutic dose and a toxic dose of FZ limits its clinical effect and safety while RS is always combined with FZ to alleviate its toxicity. However, mechanisms responsible for the detoxification process have not been well identified. Therefore, detoxification mechanisms of RS to FZ are reviewed to ensure the safety and effectiveness of FZ.

Electroacupuncture induces weight loss by regulating tuberous sclerosis complex 1-mammalian target of rapamycin methylation and hypothalamic autophagy in high-fat diet-induced obese rats

Background: Obesity can be caused by abnormalities of hypothalamic autophagy, which is closely regulated by the epigenetic modification of TSC1-mTOR. However, whether the weight-reducing effect of EA may relate to the modification of TSC1-mTOR methylation and hypothalamic autophagy remain unclear. This study was conducted to reveal the possible mechanism by which EA reduces BW by measuring the levels of TSC1-mTOR methylation and hypothalamic autophagy-related components.

Methods: The weight-reducing effect of EA was investigated in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese (DIO) rats by monitoring the BW, food consumption, and epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT)/BW ratio. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed for morphological evaluation of eWAT. Immunofluorescence was utilized to observe the localization of LC3 in the hypothalamus. The expressions of autophagy components (Beclin-1, LC3, and p62) and mTOR signaling (mTOR, p-mTOR, p70S6K, and p-p70S6K) were assessed by western blot. The methylation rate of the TSC1 promoter was detected by bisulfite genomic sequencing.

Results: Treatment with EA significantly reduced the BW, food consumption, and eWAT/BW ratio; attenuated the morphological alternations in the adipocytes of DIO rats. While HFD downregulated the expression levels of Beclin-1 and LC3 and upregulated those of p62, these changes were normalized by EA treatment. EA markedly decreased the methylation rate of the TSC1 gene promoter and suppressed the protein expressions of mTOR, p-mTOR, p70S6K, and p-p70S6K in the hypothalamus.

Conclusion: EA could reduce BW and fat accumulation in DIO rats. This ameliorative effect of EA may be associated with its demethylation effect on TSC1-mTOR and regulation of autophagy in the hypothalamus.