Therapeutic effects of Sheng Xue Fang in a cyclophosphamide-induced anaemia mouse model

Comparison of the components of fresh Panax notoginseng processed by different methods and their anti-anemia effects on cyclophosphamide-treated mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The traditional Chinese herb Panax notoginseng (PN) tonifies blood, and its main active ingredient is saponin. PN is processed by different methods, resulting in different compositions and effects.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate changes in the microstructure and composition of fresh PN processed by different techniques and the anti-anemia effects on tumor-bearing BALB/c mice after chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide (CTX).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fresh PN was processed by hot-air drying (raw PN, RPN), steamed at 120 °C for 5 h (steamed PN, SPN), or fried at 130 °C, 160 °C, or 200 °C for 8 min (fried PN, FPN1, FPN2, or FPN3, respectively); then, the microstructures were compared with 3D optical microscopy, quasi-targeted metabolites were detected by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC‒MS/MS), and saponins were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). An anemic mouse model was established by subcutaneous H22 cell injection and treatment with CTX. The antianemia effects of PN after processing via three methods were investigated by measuring peripheral blood parameters, performing HE staining and measuring cell proliferation via immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

3D optical profiling revealed that the surface roughness of the SPN and FPN was greater than that of the other materials. Quasi-targeted metabolomics revealed that SPN and FPN had more differentially abundant metabolites whose abundance increased, while SPN had greater amounts of terpenoids and flavones. Analysis of the composition and content of the targeted saponins revealed that the contents of rare saponins (ginsenoside Rh1, 20(S)-Rg3, 20(R)-Rg3, Rh4, Rk3, Rg5) were greater in the SPN. In animal experiments, the RBC, WBC, HGB and HCT levels in peripheral blood were increased by SPN and FPN. HE staining and immunofluorescence showed that H-SPN and M-FPN promoted bone marrow and spleen cell proliferation.

CONCLUSION

The microstructure and components of fresh PN differed after processing via different methods. SPN and FPN ameliorated CTX-induced anemia in mice, but the effects of PN processed by these two methods did not differ.

Acupuncture's long-term impact on depression prevention in primary dysmenorrhea: A 19-year follow-up of a Taiwan cohort with neuroimmune insights

BACKGROUND

Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a common gynecological condition causing depression. Acupuncture is an effective option for PD management but its effects on PD-associated depression remain unclear.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study involving 35,099 propensity score-matched pairs of acupuncture users and non-users with PD was conducted using data from Taiwan's Longitudinal Generation Tracking Database 2000. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate depression risk, and bioinformatics analyses were performed to uncover underlying molecular mechanisms.

RESULTS

The risk of developing depression was reduced by 64 % in acupuncture users compared with non-acupuncture users during the 19-year follow-up period. The decrease was dose-dependent. Bioinformatics analyses identified 34 co-expressed targets for acupuncture, PD, and depression; and eight hub genes (coding for interleukin 6 and 1B, tumor necrosis factor, albumin, vascular endothelial growth factor A, C-reactive protein, prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor) potentially involved in the therapeutic effects of acupuncture. Several molecular pathways were found to be involved, including cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate signaling pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, serotonergic synapse, and estrogen signaling pathway.

LIMITATIONS

Bias in the selection of participants could have been introduced as a consequence of the retrospective nature of the study. Data were derived from a single national database, and acupuncture treatment details were unavailable.

CONCLUSION

Acupuncture may protect against the development of depression in patients with PD. This study provides insight into the potential molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of acupuncture in PD management and depression prevention.

Shengxuebao Mixture for Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

Objective Traditional Chinese medicine Shengxuebao Mixture (SXBM) has been approved for treating iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in China. This study aimed to collect evidence and quantify the effect of SXBM on IDA. Methods Seven online databases were surveyed up to July 13, 2021. Randomized controlled trials in which SXBM was combined with conventional therapies to treat IDA and compared with placebo or conventional therapies were included in the study. The red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb) level, and serum ferritin (SF) level, and adverse events rate (AER) were evaluated. Results A total of 1108 patients from 8 trials were recruited. SXBM plus conventional therapy increased the Hb level [mean difference (MD) = 13.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 8.37-17.7, P < 0.00001], RBC count (MD = 0.41, 95% CI 0.19-0.62, P = 0.002), and SF level (MD = 6.25, 95% CI 2.88-9.62, P = 0.0003),and AER [Risk Ratio(RR)=0.56 ,95% CI 0.36-0.86; P = 0.008]. Conclusions SXBM combined with conventional treatment seemed to be beneficial for patients with IDA. However, the harmlessness of SXBM were not confirmed due to insufficient trials and low methodological quality.Follow-up clinical studies should be cautiously designed, and more research is needed.